Company Car & Van December 2017

Company www.companycarandvan.co.uk

The motoring magazine for SME fleets

December 2017

Car & Van

E-PACE and the rise of the compact SUV Comfort and joy from the C3 Aircross

KIA Stonic – the gamers’ new favourite

First test: MINI Countryman PHEV hybrid

Welcome to Company Car & Van

BMW and VW/MAN take home our 2017 awards Andrew Walker It’s that time of year when Company Car & Van reveals it’s Car and Van of the Year awards. Unlike other publications, we award just one prize in each category, which actually makes our decision incredibly difficult. Comparing a small

hatchback to a large SUV is not only tough, it’s hard to be objective as well.

Anyway, we have cogitated and ruminated over the 70 cars, vans and pick-ups we have driven in the past 12 months, and here are our results.

CAR OF THE YEAR

BMW 520d

Our Verdict: Despite our belief that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ car, the latest BMW 5 Series came mighty close to our perfect score of 5 out of 5. Beautifully built, exceptional to drive, supremely comfortable and with the added benefit of low emissions and great fuel economy, it was a deserving Car of the Year.

Honourable mentions: • SKODA Kodiaq (above) • Volvo XC60 • Peugeot 3008 • Alfa Romeo Giulia

VAN OF THE YEAR

VW Crafter & MAN TGE

Inside Cars Volvo XC40............................................. 4 Fiat Tipo.................................................... 5 Bill Laidlaw, LDV..................................... 6 Jaguar E-Pace...................................... 10 Alfa Romeo Stelvio............................. 14 Citroen C3 Aircross............................ 16 Lexus CT................................................20 Skoda Superb......................................21 Renault Megane Tourer.....................24 MINI Countryman PHEV...................25 Q&A with Suzuki’s Graeme Jenkins...................................28 Mazda CX5........................................... 30 Hyundai Kona....................................... 31 Nissan LEAF......................................... 34 Volkswagen T-Roc.............................37 Kia Stonic............................................. 40 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross................... 41 Commercials Ford Ranger.......................................... 44 Vauxhall Corsavan............................. 48 Iveco Daily Blue.................................. 50 Isuzu D-Max Utah Jazz......................52 Q&A with MAN’s Stuart Beeton.....55 MAN TGE................................................56 Toyota Proace...................................... 58 VW Crafter............................................ 61 Fiat Fullback Cross............................. 64 Vauxhall Vivaro................................... 68 Mercedes-Benz X-Class..................70 Fuso Canter............................................71 LDV EV80..............................................72 Company Car & Van is wholly owned and published by:

Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd Ltd, 12 Oakwood Lane, Bowdon, Cheshire WA14 3DL t: 0161 941 4296 e: andrewwalker@uwclub.net

Our Verdict: This was much easier than the Car Award, as the Crafter and TGE were two of only a handful of non-car and pick-up launches in 2017. Both are, by far, the best vans we have ever driven, of any size and in any sector. Car-like interiors coupled with SUV handling from a large van make this joint award a no-brainer. Mercedes-Benz and Ford need to step up to the plate.

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Honourable mentions:

Isuzu D-Max (inset), Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, Vauxhall Vivaro and Citroen Dispatch/ Peugeot Expert/ Toyota Proace

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All articles within this publication are copyright of Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd. Editorial consent must be obtained before any are reproduced, either in printed form or electronically.

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 03

In Review

Volvo XC40 / Fiat Tipo

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Launch of exciting XC40 completes SUV line-up Volvo Cars can now boast one of the most exciting line-ups of SUVs with the launch of its new XC40 small premium mode.

The arrival of the XC40 means that, for the first time in its history, Volvo Cars has three new, globally available SUVs in what is the fastest-growing segment of the automotive market, paving the way for further growth in terms of sales and profitability.

The new XC40 is the first model on Volvo Cars’ new modular vehicle architecture (CMA), which will underpin all other upcoming cars in the 40 series, including fully electrified vehicles. Co-developed within Geely, CMA provides the company with the necessary economies of scale for this segment.

“The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “It represents a fresh, creative and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up. “ In terms of technology, the XC40 brings the award-winning safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies known from the new 90- and 60 series cars to the small SUV segment. Like its larger siblings, the XC40 highlights the transformational effect of these new in-house-developed technologies on the Volvo brand and its profitability.

04 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

These technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped small premium SUVs on the market.

Safety and driver-assistance features on the XC40 include Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, and the 360° camera that helps drivers manoeuvre their car into tight parking spaces.

The XC40 also offers a radical new approach to storage inside the car. Ingenious interior design provides XC40 drivers with, among other things, more functional storage space in the doors and under the seats, a special space for phones (including inductive charging), a fold-out hook for small bags and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console.

From the start of production, the XC40 will be available with a D4 diesel or a T5 petrol four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain.

Further powertrain options, including a hybridised as well as a pure electric version, will be added to the range in 2018. The XC40 will also be the first Volvo model to be available with Volvo Cars’ new threecylinder engine.

Production of the new XC40 started in Volvo Cars’ plant in Ghent, Belgium, in November, while order books are open for customers now.

Residual price boost for XC40 puts it ahead of its main rivals The XC40 has followed in the footsteps of its larger stablemates with competition-beating residual values, following the car’s official unveiling in Milan.

Residual value guides Cap Hpi and KeeResources have both positioned the new XC40, Volvo’s first entry into the compact SUV sector, ahead of its two main premium German rivals, the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The figures underline further Volvo’s status as a fullyfledged premium brand.

The Volvo XC40 D3 Momentum in manual guise is estimated to be worth 43 per cent of its cost new price after three years and 60,000 miles according to Cap Hpi, and 46 per cent according to Kee Resources. That compares with 36 per cent and 42 per cent for the equivalent Audi Q3 Sport and 38 per cent and 44 per cent for the equivalent BMW X1 SE respectively.

The equivalent T3 model fares even better at 45 per cent of its cost new price after three years and 60,000 miles according to Cap Hpi and KeeResources. Both used value guides valued the equivalent Audi Q3 Sport at 39 per cent , while Cap Hpi valued the equivalent BMW X1 SE at 33 per cent and KeeResources at 41 per cent.

Graeme Oswald, Remarketing and Total Cost of Ownership Manager, Volvo Car UK, said, “Our larger 90 series cars, as well as the new XC60, have paved the way for these strong residual values, and it’s a fantastic achievement that our new compact SUV has been so well received by the industry.

“Strong residual values mean lower monthly contract hire and personal leasing rates, which make a car more competitive with fleet and retail customers alike.” www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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Fiat offers a low cost option sector is missing Andrew Walker Not many experts thought that Dacia would make a big sales impression in the UK, but boy, were they wrong. The majority of new cars come packed with equipment and state-ofthe-art technology and are aimed at Generation Y. However, there are still some customers out there who just want to drive a car with the basics and Dacia has tapped into this and provides it.

Fiat has obviously taken note of how well Dacia has done because its current Tipo is, to a certain extent, aimed at the same demographic as Dacia. The hatchback falls somewhere between the cheap and cheerful Dacia Sandero and the more expensive Volkswagen Golf.

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It’s ‘Ace in the Hole’ is that it is incredibly spacious, thanks to class-leading legroom and outstanding headroom. It’s boot capacity is also best-in-class with a volume of 440 litres.

And importantly, it’s generously priced to appeal to the most frugal of customers, with the range starting at £12,995 for the 1.4 petrol version.

Despite the low price tag, even entry level Easy models come well equipped. Standard equipment includes air con, DAB radio with Bluetooth, USB and AUX-in, steering wheel with audio controls, electrically adjustable body coloured door mirrors with external temperature sensor, six airbags (driver, passenger, front side, head), 60/40 split rear seats with head restraints, height-adjustable driver’s seat, front seats central armrest,

remote control central locking and a space saver spare wheel.

That’s not all. Spend £1,000 more and you’ll be into the mid-range Easy Plus 1.4 petrol, which adds a 5” touchscreen radio, leather steering wheel and gear knob, rear electric windows, rear parking sensors, cruise control, 16” alloy wheels, fog lights and LED daytime running lights.

At the UK Tipo launch in North Wales I got to drive the top-of-the-range Tipo Lounge, which adds even more goodies to that list.

Automatic climate control, SatNav with live services, a Visibility Pack (rain and dusk sensors and electrochromic dipping rear-view mirror), a Chrome Pack (chrome window, gear lever, fog lights and grill.

Continued on page 6

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 05

News

LDV appointment

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Bill takes helm as LDV looks for rapid growth of its dealership network One of the commercial vehicle industry’s most experienced professionals, Bill Laidlaw, has been appointed Dealer Development Manager for LDV in the UK. With more than 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry, Bill’s appointment further strengthens the LDV senior management team and he will be responsible for the ongoing development of LDV’s dealer network, which the company hopes to grow to 60 over the next two years.

“Bill has an in-depth understanding of how the CV industry operates and this makes him the ideal candidate to continue to expand our dealership base and connect with even more customers in the UK,” said Mark Barrett, General Manager, LDV UK & Ireland. “This appointment is good news for LDV and we believe that it is great news for our dealers, who will have a dedicated point of contact in Bill.”

Bill joins LDV from Bristol Street Motors in Stoke where he was the Ford Commercial and Business Manager. Prior to this he was Sales Manager for New Commercial Vehicles at the Van Centre, Richmond.

Speaking about his new role Bill said, “I’m excited to join the LDV team and begin working with its extensive network of dealers throughout the UK. I’ve kept an eye on the brand since it was relaunched in 2016 and have been impressed by the demand it has generated.

“As a commercial vehicle it ticks all the right

boxes and is something of an iconic brand amongst 21st century drivers.

“One thing all LDV dealers have in common is their willingness to go the extra mile to keep a vehicle’s downtime to a minimum. Roundthe-clock after care service and a five year warranty make LDV the perfect choice for anyone who wants a high quality commercial vehicle that offers great value for money.”

Owning an LDV gives you peace of mind, all

vehicles are included in LDV’s impressive 555 finance offer; five –year warranty package, five year’s roadside assistance and a five-year finance package.

LDV is manufactured by SAIC, the largest automotive company in China and distributed by the Harris Group.

• To find your local LDV dealer or for more information www.myldv.co.uk

Fiat’s stunningly spacious Tipo Continued from page 5 Also included with the Easy Plus version and above are Fiat’s Uconnect LIVE services, which combines with a smartphone app (available via App Store or Google Play) to offer music streaming with Deezer and TuneIn, news from Reuter and the ability to stay in touch with friends via Facebook Check-in and Twitter.

For business users there’s also a Tipo Elite model, powered by the 1.6 Multijet 11 120hp diesel engine, with CO2 emissions of 89g/km and a combined fuel economy of 76.3 mpg. Elite is offered with features specifically tailored for the company car driver and these include an audio system with touch screen, a SatNav system with colour 5” display touch screen, 3D voice and traffic information, Bluetooth including music streaming, adaptive cruise control and front parking sensors with rear radar-type parking distance sensors.

Start the engine and the unit is relatively quiet and remains this way until you accelerate quickly up to motorway speeds, when diesel vibration gets into the 06 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

cabin along with some road noise. This does not spoil the ride though, and as we discovered around the North Wales roads, it’s actually very good. There’s some nice body roll into and out of corners, courtesy of the Tipo’s suspension, and the six-speed gearbox and steering are both light as well as slick to use. Overall the Tipo offers an enjoyable drive.

The Tipo doesn’t stand out particularly but there are two areas where the Tipo really shines. First, as mentioned, interior space. There’s loads of it, in fact plenty of room for five adults and their luggage, making the Golf, Focus et al look positively small in comparison.

Second, the Tipo is very competitively priced. Prices start at just £12,995 OTR for the entry 1.4 petrol, with the fleet-friendly Elite retailing at £16,995 OTR. Contract hire prices for Elite look good too, with two-year 6 + 21 10,000 miles per annum rates from £149 a month + vat for the Elite spec; with that you get tax-friendly CO2 at 89g/km, 18% BIK, a combined fuel economy of 76.3mpg and all that space – is a veritable bargain!

KEY DETAILS

Price: £16,995 CO2: 89g/km Combined mpg: 76.3mpg Benefit in Kind: 18% Based on Fiat Tipo Elite 1.6 Multijet2 Data courtesy of JATO Dynamics

CC&V VERDICT Not a stand-out star, more a water carrier, the type every team needs and sometimes gets overlooked by the public but not by the pros. Gives Fiat a presence in the C-sector it has lacked.

CC&V RATING: NNN www.companycarandvan.co.uk

In Review Jaguar E-PACE

E-Pace features sports car design and dynamics in a five-seat compact SUV First Jaguar to exclusively feature Ingenium petrol and diesel engines Clean and responsive 150PS diesel with 124g/km CO2 emissions – but 0- 60mph in 5.9 seconds The Jaguar E-PACE – the newest member of Jaguar’s SUV family – is a five-seat compact SUV that packs the design and performance of a Jaguar sports car into a spacious, practical and connected all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The design is inspired by the F-TYPE sports car and is characterised by the distinctive Jaguar grille, muscular proportions, short overhangs and powerful haunches.

Optional 21-inch alloy wheels give the E-PACE a bold and purposeful stance, instantly communicating dynamic agility. Jaguar sports car DNA is also evident in the fast sweep of the roofline and the distinctive side window graphic.

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said that “established Jaguar design principles ensure the E-PACE is immediately recognisable as the sports car of its class.

“Our new compact SUV combines the interior space, connectivity and security that families expect with the kind of proportions, purity of design and performance not usually associated with such a practical vehicle.”

The E-PACE will be one of the most connected and intelligent vehicles in its class. The next-generation touchscreen infotainment system connects customers to their favourite apps, such as Spotify through Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl apps.

Digital connectivity can be found throughout the cabin, ready for every need of the modern family. There are up to four 12-volt charging points and five USB connections as well as a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices.

The E-PACE has exceptional interior space for a vehicle in this class. The compact SUV is 4,395mm long with short front and rear overhangs of 882mm and 832mm respectively. Its 2,681mm wheelbase seats five in absolute comfort and yields a generous rear legroom of 892mm while the large luggage capacity of 577 litres is made possible by the vehicle’s sophisticated Integral Link rear suspension architecture.

Configurable Dynamics gives the driver even more control with individual settings for the throttle, automatic transmission, steering and, where fitted, the Adaptive Dynamics suspension system. The Adaptive Dynamics set-up senses driver input, body and wheel movements and pre-emptively loads the suspension and chassis and adjusts the damping for improved roll control and agility in all conditions. As a result, the E-PACE delivers all the space young families need with all the character of a true Jaguar sports car.

Under the bonnet, E-PACE features a choice of efficient yet powerful Ingenium petrol and diesel engines. The 300PS Ingenium petrol turbo engine powers E-PACE from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds (6.4

seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint) before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 151mph. For customers who want the ultimate efficiency, the front-wheel drive 150PS Ingenium diesel delivers CO2 emissions of 124g/km.

The new E-PACE really does provide the best of both worlds: Jaguar sports car dynamics with compact SUV practicality. This latest addition offers comfort, interior space and clever stowage solutions allied to engaging handling and Jaguar Land Rover’s latest Ingenium petrol and diesel engines.

The E-PACE’s Active Driveline all-wheel drive system is a technological first for Jaguar. The intelligent set-up combines phenomenal traction with Jaguar’s unmistakable rear-wheel-drive character. The system’s torque-biasing capability delivers optimal stability, dynamics and fuel efficiency in all conditions.

The E-PACE features the very latest safety and driver assistance technologies. A stereo camera underpins the advanced Emergency Braking system, which also provides pedestrian detection, and supports Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as the Adaptive Speed Limiter, and Driver Condition Monitor features. Front and Rear Parking Aids are standard on every vehicle providing peace of mind during difficult manoeuvres.

Every E-PACE features the latest generation of Jaguar’s Touch Pro infotainment system. Natural voice control technology, a 10-inch touchscreen interface and a customisable home screen make interactions with the system quick, simple and highly intuitive.

An optional 12.3-inch full colour digital TFT instrument panel and choice of two premium audio systems developed with Meridian ensure E-PACE offers the technology and connectivity that customers crave.

The E-PACE is also available with an innovative wearable Activity Key. The waterproof and shockproof wristband has an integrated RFDI transponder, allowing the driver to lock the main key inside the vehicle when enjoying activities such as running, swimming or cycling.

The E-PACE First Edition is available for the first full year of sales, powered exclusively by Jaguar’s 180PS Ingenium diesel or 249PS Ingenium petrol engines paired with the nine-speed ZF automatic transmission.

First Edition models are carefully specified to showcase the E-PACE’s unique design, performance and practicality – based on the R-Dynamic SE specification pack.

Three colour options are available – Caldera Red, which is unique to the First Edition for the first 12 months, Yulong White and Santorini Black. Gloss Black detailing and distinctive 20-inch Satin Grey diamondturned, split-spoke alloy wheels complete the exterior look.

A special soft grain Windsor leather interior in Ebony with red contrast stitching and an Ebony suedecloth headlining give the cabin a distinctive appearance.

Configurable ambient mood lighting and the natural light from the panoramic roof perfectly complement the spacious interior. Jaguar’s next-generation TFT Head-Up Display, additional charging points and loadspace rails ensure the First Edition has the perfect blend of personality, technology and real-world practicality.

10 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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Compact SUV – but with a Jaguar’s DNA

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Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 11

In Review

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

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Alfa nudges Stelvio closer to perfection Love the looks of an Alfa? Well, here’s a practical SUV from the same stable – and it’s a stunner, says Andrew Walker Our current family car is an Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Whether this gives me an unbiased view of Alfa’s latest model, the Stelvio, or not, I couldn’t say, but after spending some time driving this SUV I came away delighted that Alfa has added a second great model to its portfolio.

Alfa will be pleased too, given the European obsession with SUVs: indeed, the Stelvio is expected to account for nearly two-thirds of Alfa sales in the UK in 2018.

The range consists of the Stelvio, Stelvio Super and Stelvio Tecnica, with a choice of a 280hp 2.0-litre Turbocharged petrol or a 210hp 2.2-litre Diesel engine, both combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio version is equipped with 17” alloy wheels, 8.8-inch Alfa Connect, Alfa DNA Rotary selector, 8-speaker audio system, black fabric seats (front with sliding, reclining and height adjustments), Integrated Brake System (IBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) and pedestrian detection. This version also includes parking sensors, cruise control, electric tailgate and dusk and rain sensors.

The Stelvio Super adds 18” alloy wheels, techno-leather and fabric seats in a choice of three colours (black, black/brown and black/ red), with three options for the dashboard and door panels (black, black/brown or black/red) and door sills with steel inserts.

An additional Luxury Pack and Sports Pack are also available to customers looking to go the extra mile.

The Alfa SUV is the world’s first car in its segment to offer the new electromechanical system that combines stability control with a traditional servo brake. With its combination of electronics and mechanics, this system not only cuts weights, gives an excellent driving “feel” and eliminates pedal vibration but also guarantees instant brake response, meaning a much shorter braking distance. Furthermore, there’s a whole host of safety systems which are standard on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, including Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross-Path Detection and Active Cruise Control.

The premium SUV sector now contains a plethora of choices, from the Teutonic trio of BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC to the Jaguar F-Pace, so the Stelvio has a tough 14 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

task on its hands. It’s a given that being an Alfa it will look good, but in a market that’s more crowded than ever, this new Alfa has to offer more than just good looks.

Unsurprisingly, the Stelvio is extremely attractive with an unashamed nod to the Maserati Levante, while encompassing some of the exterior style of the Porsche Macan. The Alfa V-shaped grille dominates the front of the car with the now ubiquitous off-set number plate adding extra kudos. Wrap around headlights and two deep set air-intakes with in-set fog lights finish off the look. The rear is more sanguine, but still manages to be more pleasing than anything else in the sector.

Inside, the cabin is a mix of that found in the Giulia, with again a touch of Levante by Maserati. The seats sit 190mm higher than in the Giulia and the extra space means that all the switchgear falls easily to hand. Even the door pockets feel of better quality than in the Giulia and overall there’s a nice mix of metal and soft-touch plastic finishes to run your fingers along. It all works well, but just isn’t what I had expected from a £40,000 car.

Both front seat passengers get plenty of leg and head room, while in the rear two adults will fit in comfortably, although if your front passengers are tall, there won’t be an awful lot of space for your legs. Seat adjustment is good and I found the driver’s seat both supportive as well as comfortable. There’s also plenty of storage space.

Many customers actually buy an SUV because they want a decent boot and easy access to it as well. They’ll be happy with the Stelvio, because it offers easy access to the boot, coupled with a decent load area. At 525 litres Stelvio has a slightly smaller boot than its closest rivals, but there’s no lip to overcome when loading or unloading, the boot floor is flat and the space on offer is almost uniformly square shaped and practical.

I tested the 2.2 turbo diesel 210bhp Q4 AWD Super, which comes with exciting performance, going from 0-62mph in just 6.6 seconds. This rapid movement is partly due to the Stelvio being just 1660kg, around 120kg lighter than its competition.

As with my own Giulietta, Alfa’s DNA is on offer, which allowed me to adjust the Stelvio’s driving experience to Dynamic, which increased throttle response as well as the broad grin permanently fixed my face. Our test car was fitted with the Q4 all-wheel drive system, which can send up to 50 per cent of torque to the front wheels – yet engineers say it’ll never need to on dry surfaces. Amazingly, in October it didn’t rain so I didn’t get the opportunity to test the system out on any wet roads. Whether you can seriously off-road in the Stelvio or not I couldn’t say, but I believe it’s best suited to tarmac, where it never fails to satisfy.

All models are driven by the ZF eight-speed auto gearbox. My test model claimed combined fuel economy is 58.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 127g/km, both being competitive in this sector. A week in the Stelvio saw us average a pleasing 38.1 mpg, which makes us believe that if you drive carefully and in Normal mode, not Dynamic, 45mpg is achievable.

Never have I smiled so much when driving an SUV and although I don’t want one – it’s too big for my family needs – I can’t wait to see if Alfa, just like everybody else, brings out a slightly smaller version.

CC&V VERDICT Very close to perfection. Competition in this sector is fierce but apart from a couple of quality issues, smashes the rivals out of the ball park CC&V RATING: NNNNN www.companycarandvan.co.uk

On test

Citroen C3 Aircross

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Tonka-tough C3 Aircross proves that Citroen’s back in the game Andrew Walker Citroen has always built quirky cars, but in the 21st century, cars need to be more than this.

Mixing the practicality of its MPV range while designing a car that looks like an SUV was Citroen’s modus operandi and with its latest creation, the C3 Aircross, it’s made a car that ticks both boxes.

The C3 Aircross is the first new model to be promoted under the ‘Citroen Inspired by You ‘ tag line. Its looks are a progression of those first seen in the DS3 and the C4 Cactus, both of which pushed the idea of personalisation as well as satisfying the Citroen ideal of being different. Offered with one standard trim, but with four design choices, the Aircross comes with 85 exterior colour mixes, so there should be one for everyone. There are three models: the entry level Touch, from £13,995; midrange Feel from £15,100 and top-of-the-range Flair, from £16,900. Citroen expects the Flair to be the UK best seller.

In a sea of similar offerings the C3 Aircross looks refreshingly different. It’s not as sharp to look at as either the Nissan Juke or Mazda CX-3, nor is it as soft around the edges as the Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur or KIA Stonic.

No; the Citroen ploughs its own path, offering customers their unique take on the sector.

From the front, the Aircross is clearly a Citroen. A high bonnet features the brand’s signature narrow light cluster while underneath are a pair of a rectangular LED lights, which also include built in fog lights on the Flair.

16 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

From the side the Aircross looks more like the C3 although the option of Venetian blind strips in several colours make the rear quarter windows different. The rear is not quite as pretty, making the car seem higher rather than wider, and it’s not unlike the back of the Fiat 500X and Mini Countryman.

C3 Aircross has a sizeable boot space of 410 litres which can be extended up to 520 litres with the sliding rear bench option available on the Flair. The cabin features a decent array of cubby hole storage and drinks holders, and there’s a roomy feel, with plenty of leg and headroom in the front. In the rear, the high roof line gives taller passengers a bit more room to stretch out in than you find in most of its competitors.

Overall, it’s a neat and tidy package. The central touchscreen works well and connecting my iPhone to the Bluetooth and Apple Car Play functions was seamless. I didn’t like the touchscreen heating controls, however, which are fiddly and encourage the driver to take their eyes of the road.

The interior is most definitely funky – the large handbrake handle being a good example – some of the fit and finish is a little disappointing. But overall it’s been well thought out and the large amount of glass means that the cabin feels light and airy.

We drove the Feel SandS Blue HDi manual 100 model on every type of road. It’s set up for urban driving, with an easy-to-use clutch and in our test car’s case, five-speed gearbox. The steering is well weighted and it’s purposeful

to drive in town. The seats are supportive and configuring a comfortable driving position is straightforward. Around tighter corners there is some body roll, for the Aircross feels quite tall. Despite this, we didn’t find this car an unpleasant place to be, with the overall ambience most definitely positive. The 1.6 diesel 100 offers an impressive combined fuel economy of 70.6mpg, backed up with attractive CO2 emissions of 104g/km Better to drive was the petrol engined automatic version, the Flair SandS PureTech 110 auto. As autos go, it was very good and felt sprightlier. With a 0-62mph time of 11.8 seconds and a top speed of 114mph it was more enjoyable to drive than the lower powered diesel. I’m not sure how well the auto will sell in the UK though, especially to userchooser SME fleets, as combined fuel economy is only 50.4mpg and emissions 126g/km.

The more powerful diesel is the best to drive, however. This is the BlueHDi 120 manual and, by adding just that little bit of extra oomph, it has the effect of making the Aircross a bit zippier. Top speed is 114mph with a 0-62mph time of 10.6 seconds.

Importantly, this version comes with a bit of mid-range pull and although the temptation currently is to promote petrol cars, for company car drivers the diesel’s superior fuel economy – 68.9mpg on the combined cycle, with emissions of 107g/km – plus this version’s extra power, would make this my model of choice.

A Tonka Tough NNNN

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On test Lexus CT

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CT’s unique package offers just that little bit more Almost seven years on from its launch, the Lexus CT 200h remains a unique player in the luxury car market, a compact, petrol-electric hatchback that delivers premium quality, clever packaging and exceptional fuel and emissions performance.

It’s proved an effective proposition that has captured the attention of motorists worldwide, not least in the UK where it has amassed more than 27,000 sales – more than one-third of the total sold across Europe. Now the model is undergoing its most significant upgrade yet, with new styling inside and out and advanced safety features to re-emphasise its special character and customer appeal.

With this latest update, Lexus has focused on developing the model’s established strengths, maintaining its reputation for user-friendly appeal, efficiency and reliability while clothing the car in a design that projects a more striking image. Safety has also been a prime consideration, with the introduction of the advanced Lexus Safety System+ to the range.

Chika Kato, the model’s Chief Engineer, summed up the impact of the changes: “The CT Hybrid has been refreshed and revitalised by enhancing its progressiveness. Its updated design is more emotional and sporty, making it the ideal premium hybrid compact car for younger customers who enjoy driving, but care about the environment.”

The car’s new look makes a significantly greater impact, notably with its reworking of 20 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

the frontal design. The daytime running lights keep their arrowhead pattern, but on the Premier and F Sport Premier Pack models they have been repositioned so to sit above the single-projector bi-LED headlights, creating a continuity of styling with the character lines that flow down each side of the car.

The grille has a sophisticated new mesh pattern made up of individual spindle shapes, and has more prominence thanks to the removal of an integrated bumper section that used to divide its upper and lower sections.

Detailed touches include new metallic grey bezels for the fog lights, set in sharp-edged surrounds.

There are changes at the rear, too, with new Lexus L-shaped taillights that create a wider, sportier look. These are now all-LED units, with the turn indicators moved to the lower edge of the unit, strengthening the overall L-motif.

A new tailgate garnish has been added with a strong rearward flare, surrounding the Lexus emblem between the rear glass and the taillights. The lower part of the rear bumper has been reshaped and given a new metallic silver and black finish. The rear reflector bezels have a metallic grey finish to match the front fog lights.

Even at first glance it is easy to appreciate the status of the CT’s cabin as among the best in its class, with its high-quality materials, rich surface textures and attractive “form-followsfunction” styling philosophy.

The CT 200h Hybrid’s powertrain is

unchanged, yet continues to be the leader in its segment in CO2 emissions, with official combined cycle figures from 88g/km (using 16-inch wheels). It also addresses increased customer awareness of air quality issues with low NOx and near-zero particulate emissions.

Even though the system has a maximum power output of 134bhp, its official fuel economy figures rival more modest competitors – from 74.3mpg (combined).

This level of performance translates into a competitive cost-of-ownership profile, including first-year Benefit-in-Kind company car tax ratings from 17 per cent.

Lexus has taken the opportunity of the revised CT 200h hybrid’s launch to simplify the model’s grade structure.

The SE grade is presented as an affordable entry point to the line-up, equipped with features such as dual-zone air conditioning, new-design 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, Drive Mode Select, reversing camera, six speaker audio and seven-inch Lexus Media Display with rotary controller. Customers can raise the bar with the SE Plus Pack, which adds Lexus Safety System+, 17-inch wheels, rear parking sensors and Lexus Navigation.

The new Luxury grade adds 17-inch alloys Smart Entry, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors and Lexus Navigation, while the CT 200h F Sport gains specific sports styling elements inside and out, performance dampers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and Lexus Navigation. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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It’s Superb – on every level Andrew Walker If I was to ask you which car brand regularly out performs all others when it comes to quality, reliability, practicality and value, would you know that it was Skoda?

The Czech-based company has built a superb reputation for itself over the years, and its current top-of-the-range – the appropriately named Superb – is another

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model for its loyal customer base to cherish. It is at least as well built as its VAG stablemates Audi and Volkswagen’s latest models, and comes with a shed-load of goodies that you’d expect to pay a lot more for with its standard price.

Volkswagen and – particularly – Audi are adept at charging customers an awful lot extra for what is standard on many Skodas, because their brands are perceived as more upmarket,

even though the models share a platform and an awful lot more besides. As such it’s very hard to argue against the Skoda unless, of course, you are keeping up with the Jones’s.

Take the new Skoda Superb, which I recently tested. It is and was, well, Superb. I don’t look at a test car’s cost until after it has left me, instead relying on a gut feeling for what the car actually costs and how much I’ll need to add on top for all of the ‘things’ fitted to cars nowadays that I can’t live without.

A glance at the information provided for me

by Skoda told me that the car I was testing, the SEL Executive hatch powered by a 2 litre 150 PS diesel engine and with 4X4, costs a remarkable £29,250. This price included the following: 18” Zenith alloys, bi xenon headlights with AFS and LED daytime running lights, adaptive cruise control, Bluetooth, Columbus sat nav with 8” colour touchscreen, Aux in, USB port, with two SD slots, DAB, electrically adjusted front seats with memory and lumbar support, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with memory function, heated front seats, leather upholstery, LED rear lights, rear parking sensors.

Continued on page 22

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 21

On test

Skoda Superb

Continued from page 21 Skoda doesn’t stop there either, with an electrically operated boot, an electromechanical parking brake and a plethora of safety-based acronyms: ESC, ABS, EBV, MSR, ASR, EDS, HBA, DSR, RBS, CBC, multi-collision brake (MKB ) and Autohold.

Despite its size, the Superb handles pretty well and feels smaller than it is to pilot. It’s incredibly comfortable in the front and the space given to rear passengers is ridiculous; expect to find as much legroom as in a Mercedes S Class. The Superb also offers class leading boot space with 625 litres. Fold down the rear seats and the capacity grows to a massive 1,760 litres. The boot can also accommodate long objects up to 3.3m in length. There’s also a false floor, luggage nets and even an LED torch in the boot and the Superb stretches the goodies even further.

The fact that my text car had some extras, which include a Canton sound system £600, dynamic chassis control £750 and larger 19” Phoenix alloys, only added to the fun, but in all honesty the basic version would have done me just fine.

Skoda loaned Company Car the 2 litre TDI 150 PS 4X4 model. There are four drive settings that the driver can select; Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual. With a motorway trip of 150 miles sandwiched

22 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

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between urban driving, I selected Sport mode for the first few days and still managed to average just under 40mpg. I switched to Eco mode half way through the week and saw that figure climb up 46.6 mpg, pretty impressive for a large saloon. Skoda claim a combined 61.4mpg for this diesel. CO2 emissions are 120g/km. Top speed is 134 mph and 0-62 mph is reached in 9.4 seconds.

I have to say that the 150 PS engine was

absolutely brilliant on the motorway where, in adaptive cruise control, it ate up the miles comfortably. However, around town and in traffic the combination of the manual gear box and lack of mid-range oomph made this version of the Superb a little bland to drive. Of course, there is a 190PS non 4X4 version which would alleviate this. It still offers great economy a claimed 61.4mpg with emissions of 119g/km, the same as the manual 4X4 150 version and I know which one I would choose!

At the other end of the spectrum, company car drivers may want to consider the cheaper Superb S Greenline edition, powered by the 1.6 TDI 120 PS manual, which offers 96g/km CO2 emissions, a BIK of 21 per cent and a combined fuel economy of up to 85.6 mpg.

And for those of you thinking of switching from diesel to petrol, there’s a 1.4 TSI 125 PS petrol version also specced at the S level, with a BIK of 23 per cent and which comes with a combined fuel economy of 52.3 mpg. The line-up means that so Skoda has all angles covered.

As part of the Volkswagen family the interior of the Superb will be familiar to owners of previous Skodas as well as to those who drive a Volkswagen or Audi. For a start, it’s very logically laid out and provides you with great build quality peppered with some nice upmarket gadgets such as the touchscreen which operates the SatNav, DAB, CD, MP3 and Bluetooth functions. The leather steering wheel also includes buttons to control the media and Bluetooth functions as well as allowing the driver to access driving statistics and the sat nav.

The lower left hand stalk controls the cruise control and with my model fitted with adaptive cruise control, this also allowed me to select a safe distance from my vehicle to the car in front. Regular CC&V readers will know that I love this function because you can sit in motorway traffic at a designated speed and know that you cannot hit the car in front www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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KEY DETAILS Skoda Superb 1.6TDi 120PS Greenline Price: £23,775 CO2: 96g/km BIK: 21% Benefit in Kind: £4,992 Tax @ 20% £998.40 @ 40% £1,996.80

or get caught out in road works with lower speed limits or, indeed, on a variable speed motorway. Simply adjust the speed up or down in five mph chunks and, hey presto, you are driving within the speed limit imposed.

Using cruise control on the motorway also saves on fuel economy as well.

After all my praise, are there any negatives to the Superb? The engine is a little noisy at start up and because of the stop/start, the kick down when you pull away demonstrates some lag. The interior, though better than the previous Superbs, won’t end up in the Design

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Museum either. And, the badge on the front is Skoda, which could still put some people off.

That is basically it.

If you can live with these minor grumbles – and I know that I could – then the Skoda Superb is a must for any company car driver’s list of ‘possibles’ and who requires their car be comfortable, very well made, spacious, practical and reliable.

It’s also attractively priced, around £6,000 less than the equivalent Audi A6 which is not as well equipped.

What more is there to say?

CC&V VERDICT As good as Ludek Miklosko. And, if you remember the West Ham great, you’ll know just how good the Superb actually is!

CC&V RATING: NNNNN

Company Car & Van | December 2017 |23

On test

Renault Megane Tourer

Practical motoring with a touch of class Andrew Walker Small estates are a bit of a niche nowadays, what with the glut of SUVs and Crossovers on our roads. However, if comfort, handling and practicality are the Holy Trinity in your car of choice, then the Renault Sport Tourer may well be for you, because they are most definitely more fun to drive than the more chunky Crossovers out there.

I was testing the 1.5 dCi, badged Dynamique S Nav, which sits smack bang in the middle of the range. On the road, the six-speed gear manual gear change is short and slick and coupled with the light clutch, make for enjoyable driving. Furthermore, the engine is quiet compared to other similar sized diesels and over undulating roads I found the ride to be just the right side of soft.

Overall it handles well and with three choices of steering adjustment as well as its accuracy on the road, plus the 17” wheels, it all makes for an unassuming, hassle-free ride.

The low ride is actually its most endearing feature. The suspension and steering are such that if you attack a bend with gusto, the Megane goes around it with aplomb. Even on the motorway,the Tourer gives off the feeling that it’s hugging the road, rather than riding

24 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

above it, making for engaging driving. The 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine only offers up 108bhp and 250Nm of torque and requires 11.3 seconds to go from 0-62mph. But despite this, and especially if you select Sport mode, it feels punchier.

Sports Tourer customers will want to utilise the extra space on offer. By extending the wheelbase by 43mm and the length by 267mm, Renault has created a useful load area of 580 litres, which increases to a massive 1,695 litres with the rear seats down.

At present, diesel is not flavour of the month, but when it comes to fleet cars it remains the engine of choice. Renault claims a combined fuel economy for the Megane Sports Tourer of 76.4mpg, which if achievable

is very, very good. Suffice to say, in our week in the car, driving on a mixture of motorway, urban and rural roads, we ended up averaging a far more realistic 48.8 mpg, which makes us believe that 55mpg is infinitely achievable and 60mpg could be reached with careful driving.

Emissions are excellent at 96g/km, BIK is an attractive 21% and with an OTR price of £22,990, it’s competitively priced as well.

Sports Tourer sales may not be massive, but it is a sector that most of the major players still target, with the competition coming from the Peugeot 308 SW, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, SKODA Octavia estate and SEAT Leon ST. All of these cars offer a mix of good handling and extended storage space and amongst it’s peers, the Megane Sports Tourer does not stand out, but neither is it outclassed.

Like its hatchback sibling, the latest Megane Sports Tourer is not earth shattering, but it does at the very least give Renault an opportunity to claw back sales from both KIA and Hyundai, who have taken up the slack in this sector in recent years, as well as putting Renault on an even keel with the latest offerings from Peugeot, SEAT and Vauxhall.

Solid, practical performance NNNN

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MINI Countryman PHEV – you’re just a plug-in from fun every day!

Andrew Walker loves MINIs... so how will he greet the latest model, the Countryman PHEV?

CC&V VERDICT All the fun of a MINI with the technological addition of PHEV power to boost economy to a claimed 134.5mpg.

CC&V RATING: NNNN

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Our family car for three years was a diesel MINI Cab materials feel more premium than the Countryman, so I was excited to get my hands on the outgoing model, with a mix soft touch plastics on latest addition to the range, the MINI Countryman S the dash and fabric trim on the door that matched E ALL4 PHEV, the first MINI plug-in-hybrid. my seats, finished in a fetching mid-grey. Interior Launched without too much fanfare, MINI is black trim piano black on the dashboard, an extra targeting customers who have flocked to the likes of £155, adds to the upmarket feeling. The Cooper-spec the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, although this is a Countryman gets SatNav, DAB radio, cruise control, much smaller, more user-friendly alternative to the parking sensors, Bluetooth and autonomous city much larger Outlander. MINI says 90 per cent of its braking. As with BMWs, there’s a massive options list: buyers drive only 30-40 miles per day mine included a Media Pack, which adds which, if that’s true, makes a MINI Nav, MINI connected, and PHEV: A compelling argument for owning enhanced Bluetooth. money saver? this latest model.

Interior space is definitely Emissions – at 49g/km The Countyman PHEV looks, improved with the Countryman – put the PHEV in the well, just like the other models now 4.3m long, 1.82m wide and lowest BIK company car tax in the range, which makes it 1.56m tall, which is 20cm longer bracket of 9%. Coming in at both wider and longer than its and 3cm wider than the previous under £40,000 it escapes predecessor and it sits on the car, although the height hasn’t the £310 road tax surcharge newest UKL2 platform increased. MINI has extended the for cars costing architecture found underneath the wheelbase of the Countryman by over £40,000. latest MINI Clubman and the BMW 75mm, which benefits rear legroom.

X1. Stepping back to look at the new In fleet, where diesel was once King, version, at first it’s quite hard to see what’s the growth of PHEV sales has steadily different, but on closer inspection both the front and increased and MINI is hoping to cash in on this. With rear are significantly changed, with a larger, more the new Countryman diesel handling brilliantly, I pronounced front-grille, bloated headlights, plus a wanted to find out how different the PHEV version noticeably squared-off rear end, actually making the might be, so that if you pick one, it’s not just for tax new version less attractive than the old one. Inside, and fuel purposes, but as a car that drives well too. thankfully, things get better with a completely I’m pleased to say that the PHEV Countryman redesigned dashboard. MINI has kept the retro handles just as well as the diesel, as I discovered circular display and chrome toggle switches, which driving on the motorway and on a selection of main sit in the centre of the dash, while the speedo, rev and country roads. I’ll get the bad news out of the counter and fuel gauge now sit in front of the driver. way first.

The speedboat- style handbrake has also been The PHEV only offers a 25-mile EV range, so when replaced by an automatic one. you put your foot down – and you’ll want to, trust me – the range goes down quite quickly. The PHEV’s 87bhp electric motor actually gives the Countryman a bit of oomph, 0-62mph in just 6.8 seconds, which at the same time is pleasingly quiet. The six-speed auto box is also very nice and makes for relaxing driving. Couple this with MINI’s standard taut steering and four-wheels-on-a-corner design and it’s good fun to be in and drive. The enjoyment is further enhanced by the exemplary MINI build quality especially inside the cabin, where everything would not look out of place in an upmarket Scandi-noir.

The diesel is currently available to lease from £245 per month ( 6+35 ), so it will be interesting to see what the PHEV will cost to lease against this. Still, with a claimed fuel economy of 134.5 mpg and emissions of just 49g/km, there won’t be a shortage of interest.

In conclusion, this version of the Countryman is not cheap but that’s not the point. If you want all of the MINI fun in the larger package that is the Countryman, with the bonus of the MINI’s excellent build quality, you can now have this as a plug-inhybrid, with super low emissions and brilliant fuel economy. What’s not to like?

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 25

Suzuki

Q&A with Graeme Jenkins

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Suzuki targets business buyers with range of ‘fit for fleet’ models Company Car & Van chats to Suzuki’s Head of Fleet Graeme Jenkins about how the company’s new models have faired in 2017 CC&V: When we talked to you about Suzuki’s plans for 2017 and beyond in the Spring, you said that Suzuki was aiming for 10,000 fleet sales by 2019. Have your 2017 corporate sales put you on the right path to achieve this goal?

Graeme Jenkins: Yes, we are currently tracking to achieve well over 8,000 corporate sales this year, with a further 10,000 corporate cars next year.

CC&V: Your Vitara and S-Cross look perfectly in tune with the current demand for SUVs and crossovers. How have these models performed for Suzuki in the fleet sector this year?

Graeme Jenkins: Corporate demand on both Vitara and S-Cross have exceeded our expectations. Through careful positioning within the CH&L industry and the most appropriate sales channels, we are attracting a

number of new fleet customers to the brand.

CC&V: We drove the latest Swift in the Summer and really liked it.

Will the new model be ‘Fit for Fleet’ and be part of the brands push into the corporate sector?

Graeme Jenkins: Launched in June, the all new Swift has had some amazing reviews from the mainstream press. With the acclaimed and award winning 1.0 Boosterjet petrol engine, combined with mild assist hybrid technology, the entire ‘cost of ownership’ position on Swift puts it in an enviable position.

There is no doubt that the new Swift is not only adding value to Suzuki’s corporate line up, but leading the way in attracting a new type of customer to Suzuki Business.

CC&V: In the short term, we believe that SME fleet mangers will be more likely to consider petrol engines for their fleets, than the large fleet customers.

Is this reflected in the Suzuki models that you have supplied to business customers?

Graeme Jenkins: The diversity of the UK fleet market means that certain manufacturers have products that are well suited for each channel.

At Suzuki, the SME market, along with the public sector and Motability markets, are particularly suited to the Suzuki Business models.

Our brand new petrol hybrid engines are being very well received by parts of the SME market.

Indeed, with only three per cent of all Suzuki sales in the UK being Diesel, our Petrol Hybrid technology is certainly our focus area for continued future growth.

Vitara has the power units to spring a surprise on fleet sector Suzuki may not be the first brand name that springs to mind when you’re considering your next company vehicle. However with the latest Vitara, Suzuki has an excellent car that should attract the gaze of small businesses.

Business users have leased an awful lot of Nissan Jukes in recent years and the SME company car driver is a target for Suzuki with the Vitara. Does it stack up on economy and emissions? Suzuki’s claimed combined figure

28 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

is 67.2 mpg. CC&V drove 300 miles averaging 50.9 mpg, a very respectable return. CO2 emissions are good as well at 106g/km and the engine is Euro 6 compliant and falls into VED band B, which will also add to its appeal.

What the Suzuki offers is a combination of good looks, proven reliability, frugal engines and good value for money. A similar specced Juke will cost around £1,500 more than the equivalent Vitara. Thinking from a cost

perspective, perhaps the top-of-the-range SZ5 model with ALLGRIP and costing from £19,499 would be a little too rich for some fleet users, but the entry level SZ4 is a bargain, costing from £15,499, or there’s the mid-range SZ-T, which starts at £17,499; both are most certainly well worth a look.

With a choice of both petrol and diesel engines, the Vitara is a worthwhile competitor in a very tough market.

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On test Mazda CX-5

SKYACTIV gives CX5 the edge Update gives fresh impetus to popular SUV, says Andrew Walker When it was launched back in 2012 the Mazda CX5 received a London Olympiads’ worth of praise as it hit the ground running, with Mazda’s new SKYACTIV technology to the fore.

Fast forward to 2017 and Mazda has given the CX-5 an overhaul, partly to keep up with the competition and partly because the crossover sector has become incredibly important. Mazda has kept the new model range simple. Two specs, SE-L Nav or Sport Nav, powered by either one petrol, a 165PS 2WD manual, or two diesels the 150PS available in 2WD and All wheel-drive as manual or auto and a larger 175PS with AWD only. Prices range from £23,695 for the petrol

2WD SE-L Nav up to £33,195 for the range topping 175PS AWD diesel Sport Nav auto.

Company Car and Van drove both the petrol and the 150PS diesel versions, with both benefitting from the enhancements that Mazda has made to the new model.

There’s an all-new interior featuring higher quality plastics and soft-touch leather, a new steering wheel, a re-jigged centre console plus wood and metal interior panelling. The old CX-5 was good looking, but the upgrades to the new model make it look even better! The exterior has been sharpened with sleeker sides, a lower roofline, slim-line front and rear lights and an uncluttered front end, which

CC&V VERDICT The new CX-5 proves that you can have an SUV that is actually good to drive, with good fuel economy, and still make it look special.

CC&V RATING:

NNNN 30 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

really shows off the new CX-5’s design while remaining loyal to Mazda’s design ethos.

Enter and the internal proportions are impressive. There’s loads of headroom all around and plenty of room for three averagedsized adults in the back. The boot itself has 506-litre volume with the seats in place and loaded to the roof with the seats down there’s a huge 1,620 litres of luggage space.

We tested the new CX-5 in the Highlands of Scotland, which meant plenty of single lane driving across the Cairngorms, as well as some busier A roads between Inverness and Aberdeen. Sitting in the driver’s seat as we made our way through Aviemore it felt a good place to be. The CX-5 still handles well, perhaps enhanced by a chassis that has more than 50 per cent new components. The development of the all-new Mazda CX-5 has seen Mazda’s engineers work to deliver an SUV that takes the Jinba Ittai car-and-driver-as-one design and engineering philosophy to the next level. This includes enhancements to the responsiveness and controllability through of the all-new SKYACTIV-BODY and SKYACTIVCHASSIS, complimented by the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC), the first of Mazda’s SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMIC technologies.

While the new CX-5 looks and feels better, the petrol engine lacks any mid-range pulling power. If you are looking to drive through hilly areas or to tow, the petrol engine may not be right for you. The petrol unit comes with a top speed of 125 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 10.2 seconds. Emissions are high at 149g/km and the claimed economy for the combined cycle is 44.1 mpg; we averaged 40.1 mpg.

We also drove the identically specced, 2.2 SKYACTIV 2WD diesel Sport Nav 150PS manual, which handles just as well as the petrol model but offers far better mid-range power, especially useful as we drove past the Queen’s house at Balmoral and in the real world, for overtaking on the motorway. It’s quicker, 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of 127mph, offers better emissions, 132g/km and returns better combined fuel economy as well, at 50.4mpg. We averaged 43.2 mpg – all of which made it my favourite of the two we tested. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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Safety to the fore as Hyundai launches exciting all-new Kona Hyundai’s all-New KONA has finally reached the UK, with dealerships handling a hugely positive response from the public for this innovative and exciting follow-on from the i30 family.

It offers a high level of standard safety equipment, with Driver Attention Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Hill Start Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control featuring on all models, Premium SE adds Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Premium GT specification adding Autonomous Emergency Braking. High levels of standard technology and connectivity equipment also feature with all models of Kona benefitting from DAB and Bluetooth regardless of trim level.

Prices start from £16,195 for the KONA S 1.0 T-GDi 120PS 6 speed manual, with external features including 16” alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, as well as rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light. Interior equipment includes cloth seats with driver’s seat height adjustment and 60/40 split folding rear seat. S trim level also features air conditioning with rear air vents in the centre console, automatic headlamps with LED positioning lamps and LED daytime running lamps.

Convenience features on S trim includes standard cruise control with speed limiter, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and electric front and rear windows. DAB and Bluetooth connectivity features as standard throughout the KONA range, with the S featuring a 5” LCD centre console display, 6 speakers, USB and AUX connections and www.companycarandvan.co.uk

steering wheel controls for audio, telephone and cruise control operation. A drivers supervision instrument cluster with 3.5” LCD multifunction screen rounds off the KONA S trim level.

From £17,495 the KONA SE 1.0 T-GDi 120PS Manual builds on S trim level by offering customers additional external equipment including 17” alloy wheels, roof rails and fog lamps. Additional SE interior equipment includes leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob and electric driver’s seat lumbar support.

KONA SE comes as standard with a parking system including rear parking sensors and rear camera, with 7” touchscreen centre console display including smart device integration with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™.

Moving further up the range, the KONA Premium 1.0 T-GDi 120PS Manual at £18,795 continues with SE specification, with external changes including 18” alloy wheels, chrome surround to the black front grille, Anthracite finished side body garnish, and silver rear skid plate and side body mouldings. Premium trim also introduces climate control with automatic defog function, automatically dimming rear view mirror, automatic windscreen wipers and solar glass to the front windows and windscreen, with privacy glass to the rear windows and tailgate glass.

Convenience features at this specification adds Smart Key with keyless entry and engine start/stop button and back storage pockets to both driver and passenger seats and luggage storage net. KONA Premium also sees the

introduction of the high end KRELL premium audio system, including an 8 speaker system with external amplifier and subwoofer. The KRELL system is controlled via an 8” touchscreen centre console display with satellite navigation and LIVE services, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. A wireless phone charging pad also features.

Raising the specification further, the KONA Premium SE 1.0 T-GDi 120PS at £21,195, builds on the already comprehensive Premium specification by adding leather seat facings, with electrically adjustable drivers and passenger seats, which also both offer seat heating and ventilation.

Further convenience additions for Premium SE specifications include heated steering wheel, rear centre arm rest, power folding door mirrors and front parking sensors. New for KONA, the Premium SE introduces the Head Up Display (HUD) which projects relevant information directly to the drivers line of sight.

The HUD is projected onto an 8” screen, which lowers into the dashboard when not in use and is fully adjustable for both angle and height for optimum visibility for all drivers.

Displayed information is customisable with options to include key information on speed, navigation, fuel levels, warning functions such as Blind Spot Detection and Lane Keeping Assist, as well as information on telephone connectivity and audio.

The top of the range KONA Premium GT 1.6 T-GDi 177PS 7 speed DCT 4WD trim enters the range at £24,995 and offers additional equipment with a focus on technology.

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 31

In Review Nissan LEAF

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LEAF on the charge as new model launched New, longer battery range ‘game-changer’ for all-electrics, says Nissan Maximum 235 miles from full charge Refinements bring interior up to rival the best in sector

Nissan has unveiled the new Nissan LEAF in Europe, the next generation of the world’s best-selling zero-emissions electric vehicle.

Embodying the company’s Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision, this new model has been reinvented to offer greater range, dynamic design, advanced driver assistance tech and enhanced connectivity.

Speaking at the LEAF’s official European launch at Nissan Futures 3.0 in Oslo, Norway, Philippe Saillard, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe said: ‘The LEAF is the most advanced and accessible 100 per cent electric vehicle on the planet.

This is a car that will make you feel more confident, more excited and more connected than any other mainstream electric vehicle in history. It’s amazing.’

The new Nissan LEAF offers an improved range of 378km (235miles)* on a single charge, allowing drivers to enjoy longer journeys, interconnected by the extended European CHAdeMO Quick Charging network. Meanwhile the new e-powertrain also delivers 110kW of power output and 320Nm of torque, improving acceleration and driver enjoyment.

The new Nissan LEAF is packed with ingenious technology, including ProPILOT advanced driver assistance system for a confident, more comfortable drive. ProPILOT uses the steering, braking and acceleration to assist the driver within single lane, low speed traffic and highway cruisng scenarios. In slow moving traffic it enables the New LEAF to autonomously slowdown and stop where traffic flow ceases. It will then start to follow the car in front when the flow resumes. Also included is ProPILOT Park for fully autonomous parking.

The new Nissan LEAF’s revolutionary e-Pedal technology transforms the way people drive by

34 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

letting them start, accelerate, decelerate and stop – simply by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the accelerator. When the accelerator is fully released, the hydraulic and friction brakes are applied automatically, bringing the car to a stop and regenerating the braking energy to recharge the battery. The car holds its position, even on steep up and downhill slopes, until the accelerator is pressed again, taking the stress out of driving.

But the New Nissan LEAF is not just an Electric Vehicle. It is a mobile power unit complete with unique bi-directional charging. This means it can give back energy to power the world around it by connecting to homes and offices. It can even return any excess charge to the local energy grid thanks to Nissan’s innovative Vehicle to Grid technology.

It’s not just the advanced technologies in the new Nissan LEAF that catch the eye. A sleek profile, sharp, dynamic look and excellent aerodynamics make it aesthetically appealing to European consumers.

Anyone familiar with Nissan design characteristics will recognise its signature boomerang-shaped lamps, V-motion flow in the front, flush-surface grille in clear blue and rear bumper’s blue moulding.

The new Nissan LEAF has a completely redesigned interior, which is focused on the driver and combines the clever use of space with optimum functionality. A front panel in the form of a ‘gliding wing’ and vibrant blue stitching in the seats, dashboard and steering wheel, create a relaxed ambience and a clean quality feel. Meanwhile, the new 7-inch, full-colour (TFT) display highlights key features, including the Safety Shield technology, power gauge and information from the audio and navigation systems. *(depending on market). www.companycarandvan.co.uk

On test Nissan LEAF

Tech honour gets new Leaf rolling on awards run

The new Nissan LEAF has taken top honours at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) annual CES Unveiled ceremony, presented by the Consumer Technology Association.

With the announcement of the Best of Innovation award winners for 2018, before a crowd of tech industry experts in New York, the all-new, zero-emission Nissan LEAF won its first major international award. Nissan is aiming for many more to come.

As confirmation of Nissan’s leading investment in innovation, the Nissan LEAF 100% electric vehicle with ProPILOT (known as ProPILOT Assist in North America) and e-Pedal technologies also took home awards for the Best of Innovation and for Tech for a

Better World “It is a great honour to have this early and important recognition for the new Nissan LEAF,” said Daniele Schillaci, Nissan’s executive vice president for global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles and the battery business, and chairman of the management committee for the Japan/A&O region.

“This award recognises products and technologies that benefit people and the planet, so it is fitting that the new LEAF has been honoured.

“It is more than just a car. It is the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, our vision to move people to a better world.”

The new Nissan LEAF brings a compelling

package of everyday-useful innovations and technologies to more people worldwide than any electric vehicle has done before. The car is helping make the world a better place not only through innovation, but also through accessibility to more people. Additional capabilities such as vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid integration (availability depending on market) help owners know they can waste less and give back more.

The new Nissan LEAF is on sale in Japan and will be arriving at Nissan dealers in the US and Canada over the next two months.

In Western Europe production starts in December 2017 and goes on sale from February 2018.

LED technology, black roofed rails, leather trimmed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, variable boot floor, and 16” alloy wheels.

There’s extra safety technology, including a driver alert system, an automatic post braking collision system and ADC, automatic distance control, a system that automatically brakes the Golf if it senses that a collision is imminent, which is most useful on the motorway when you are using cruise control.

Like the Golf hatch, the Golf Mark 7 estate interior is splendid to look at, simple to use and very well made, putting it within touching distance of Audi and BMW interiors and in some ways bettering those

36 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

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Ready to T-Roc and roll

Volkswagen is shaking up the SUV sector with the arrival of its stylish new compact SUV: the T-Roc – a car that matches its marketing tagline of ‘born confident’.

The T-Roc sees Volkswagen enter a new market segment with this stylish and sporty model. Sitting beneath the established and extremely popular Tiguan SUV, and above the forthcoming new T-Cross small SUV, the T-Roc represents a key element of Volkswagen’s ongoing SUV offensive.

A wide and long stance allied to a relatively low roofline and steeply raked C-pillar underscore not only the T-Roc’s sporting style but also its dynamic and engaging ride and handling characteristics.

T-Roc measures 4,234 mm long (252 mm shorter than the Tiguan), and it has a 2,603 mm wheelbase. The SUV’s width is 1,819 mm (excluding door mirrors), and its height is 1,573 mm. For comparison, the current Golf measures 4,255 mm long, 1,799 mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1,452 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,637 mm.

Luggage space in the five-seat T-Roc is generous. Indeed the five-seat car has one of largest luggage compartments in its class – measuring 445 litres when loaded up to the top of the second row seat backrests.

Its styling is also defined by its short overhangs: (831 mm front, 800 mm rear) and large track widths of 1,546 mm (front) and 1,541 mm (rear).

Discussing the T-Roc’s distinctive looks Volkswagen Head of Design, Klaus Bischoff, said: “Volkswagen has created another authentic SUV with the new T-Roc. In launching this crossover we are also bringing a very expressive, even ‘sassy’, design to the streets. This emotional component makes it www.companycarandvan.co.uk

likeable. The T-Roc is therefore equally well suited for the urban world as it is for great adventures.”

When all versions are available to order the T-Roc will be offered in S, SE, Design, SEL and R-Line trims, with a generous standard specification throughout.

Standard-fit items across the range include 2Zone electronic climate control; Composition Media infotainment system with eight-inch colour touch-screen, Bluetooth telephone and audio connection, DAB radio reception, USB connectivity and charging, and 6 x 20W speakers; minimum 16-inch alloy wheels and extensive passive and active safety equipment.

Personalisation and style are key elements of the new car’s appeal, and Volkswagen in the UK will offer an expansive range of colour, trim and equipment options.

Design models, in particular, offer a wide variety of styling features, and enhanced choice. Aside from advanced features such as chrome-effect trapezoid exhaust tailpipe surrounds left and right, the T-Roc Design will offer a choice of contrasting roof, A-pillar and door mirror housing colours; rear tinted glass from B-pillar backwards; and sport-styled bumpers with silver-metallic underbody protection.

Inside, Design models will provide a choice of coloured dashpad and interior door panels alongside standard-fit features such as ambient lighting in the front footwells and light strips below the front door trims.

Meanwhile Volkswagen interface designers have further developed the Active Info Display (10.3-inch display diagonal) and its highquality graphics (133 dpi) for new T-Roc, elevating the range of functions to a whole new level. Standard on SEL models, and

optionally available on other T-Rocs (excluding S), the new Active Info Display now offers an interplay with the car’s specific infotainment system to create a digital and interactive cockpit.

Like its larger Tiguan sibling, the new T-Roc will in time be offered with a broad range of turbocharged engines: three petrol engines (TSI) and two diesels (TDI) units, with – depending on engine choice – the option of manual or DSG automatic gearboxes and in front- or 4MOTION all-wheel drive formats.

Every all-wheel drive version of the T-Roc also has 4MOTION Active Control with driving profile selection as standard. The system is operated via 4MOTION Active Control on the centre console. The driver uses it to activate four higher-level modes and various pop-up menus. When the rotary switch is turned to the left, one of the two on-road profiles is activated: ‘Street’ and ‘Snow’.

T-Roc will sprint from rest to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 134 mph.

Meanwhile, the 1.0 TSI 115 PS-equipped car will offer 55.4 mpg on the EU’s combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 117 g/km.

All T-Roc Design models are also equipped with the Driver Alert System, Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Dynamic Road Sign Display.

There’s also a rear view camera system, lane change system with Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor lane change system and Lane Assist lane keeping system.

High end options available for the new T-Roc include an electrically operated tailgate; electrically operated sliding/tilting panoramic sunroof; ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery and wireless smartphone charging.

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 37

On test

Kia, Mitsubishi

Stonic’s the tonic your fleet needs Andrew Walker Kia has had a great couple of years, with superb new models coming on line with a regularity that is making the motoring world sit up and take notice. The latest is the Kia Stonic, which CC&V had the opportunity to drive in its 1.0 litre petrol and 1.6 litre diesel grade 2 and First Edition guises.

Climb inside and the internal design is functional but not exciting. The fit and finish is excellent and at the price the Stonic is being offered at (£16,295- £20,495), shames similar offerings in the sector. On the downside, apart from some nice colour touches inside First Edition models, everything is grey or black, in the main. Having said that the location of the touchscreen and its size are a positive feature, while the sliding front centre armrest is an another nice touch.

Front seat passengers have good head and legroom and you can fit two adults in the rear, although taller passengers will struggle for leg room if the front seat passenger is tall. The 352-litre boot is about average for similarly priced SUVs, and in First Edition guise adds a useful split boot cover.

First up for us to drive was the petrol and it’s a real cracker, right up there with the VW

40 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

1.0 litre petrol. It’s smooth, surprisingly quiet and absolutely perfect for urban driving. On the motorway it offers a decent turn of pace, hitting 60mph in 9.9 seconds and again is surprisingly quiet, even on wet roads. It also offers 56.5mpg on the combined cycle, with CO2 of 115g/km – not far behind a diesel.

The 1.6 diesel engine has a combined economy figure of 67.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 109g/km, so beats the petrol, but it’s a little slower in reaching 60mph, which takes 10.9 seconds. It handles almost as well as the petrol, albeit a little unrefined. Even so, if you’re fleet, the diesel will still be the

sensible choice and in Grade 2 spec as well.

There’s a wide choice available to B-SUV customers and you’ll need both time and patience to test all the models currently on offer. But ignore the Stonic at your peril: it is a sensible choice. Much like the larger Sportage, which accounts for a quarter of UK KIA sales, it’s not necessarily the best in class, but the combination of excellent build quality, looks, on trend tech, outstanding Korean reliability and KIA’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, make this a real contender. I predict that the Stonic will soon be KIA’s second-best UK seller.

CC&V RATING: NNNN

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Mitsubishi sets out to Eclipse rivals with exciting SUV The all-new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is available to UK customers from £21,275 OTR when it goes on sale in January 2018. Developed with a focus on three core areas – inspiring design, driving dynamics and advanced technology – Mitsubishi’s new mid-sized SUV will be available in three trim levels: Eclipse Cross 2, Eclipse Cross 3 and Eclipse Cross 4.

At launch, all versions of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be powered by an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 163hp and 250Nm of torque which will be available with a six-speed manual or advanced new automatic transmission with Sport mode, manual override and paddle shifters, depending on the model. The new transmission benefits from the latest step logic technology to combine the packaging and running cost benefits of a CVT with the smoothness and responsiveness of a traditional automatic.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is also available with two- or four-wheel drive, the latter incorporating the latest generation of Mitsubishi’s Super All-wheel Control (S-AWC) system that offers a choice of three advanced drive modes – Auto, Snow and Gravel.

The Eclipse Cross is extremely well specified, with even the entry-level 2 version offering features such as a touch-pad controller, Smartphone Display Audio that is compatible with Apple CarPlay*¹and Android Auto*², rear view camera, DAB radio with six speakers, cruise control, climate control air conditioning, LED Daytime Running Lights, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls, 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and heated door mirrors.

The cockpit-style driving environment in the Eclipse Cross reinforces its focus on driving pleasure and the www.companycarandvan.co.uk

spaciousness of the cabin is further enhanced by slide-and-recline adjustment for the 60:40 split rear seat on all models. To optimise loading comfort and facilitate loads of various sizes and shapes, the rear seat back has eight different recline settings and the base has up to 200mm of travel.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross protects its occupants, other drivers and pedestrians with an array of safety features and systems. All versions will have Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) that uses radar technology to detect a risk of collision, ABS, Active Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist, seven airbags, dusk and rain sensors and automatic operation of the headlamps’ dipped beam. All these features are standard in the entry-level Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2 which is priced from £21,275 OTR. The Eclipse Cross 3 builds on the specification of the 2 versions by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and keyless start, electrically folding door mirrors, silver side sills and an electronic handbrake on automatic versions.

Pricing starts from £22,575 OTR for the front-wheel drive Eclipse Cross 3 manual and £23,850 OTR for the front-wheel drive automatic. The Eclipse Cross 3 4WD automatic is priced from £25,350 OTR. Completing the line-up, the flagship Eclipse Cross 4 adds leather trim, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, electric opening panoramic roof, Rockford Fosgate Premium sound system with nine speakers and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems including LED headlamps, 360˚parking camera and Blind Spot Warning (BSW) to the 3 specification.

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 41

On test Ford Ranger

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Ranger takes tough pick-ups into the heart of suburbia Andrew Walker To say that pick-ups have improved of late is a huge understatement. Gone are the days when a pick-up did the job but wasn’t really for the weekends, and was more at home in a builder’s yard or in a far away desert with a machine gun crudely bolted to the back.

No, in 2016, pick-ups are built to both do the job and to ferry the family from A to B and have as many, if not more, goodies attached to them than the average family car.

A case in point would be Ford’s Ranger. Not only is it far removed from Rangers of old, it’s much closer in size and style to the pick-ups I grew up seeing on US TV shows like The Dukes of Hazard and CHiPs, where invariably the bad guys drove a pick-up.

With a load space that’s just under 1.6 m long and over 1.1 m wide, and a towing weight of 3350 kg braked, it’s a pick-up in the true sense of the word.

Of course, not being a farmer or a serious

44 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

off-roader, I only got to drive the Ranger around my local area and I have to say I enjoyed it immensely, even if I didn’t get out of 2WD. Powered by a 3.2 diesel unit the Ranger Limited wasn’t lacking for power, although it wasn’t as refined as you’d expect from such a large engine and tended to be noisy between 15 and 25 mph.

On the motorway, though, it relaxes a little and in cruise control takes one comfortably along on its 17” alloys. I had a 400-mile motorway journey which I made in the Ranger and it was frankly excellent company.

It’s comfortable too, with an eight-way electrically adjustable heated driver’s seat with lumbar support. There’s also plenty of room in the cab and it will comfortably accommodate four adults – or, in my case, an adult and four teenage rugby players covered in mud.

The Limited sits second from the top of the Ranger range. What does it come with? A whole host of goodies: this is no spartan workhorse.

Expect to find the aforementioned 17” alloy wheels, Continued on page 46

“Powered by a 3.2 diesel unit, the Ranger wasn’t lacking for power ... on the motorway it relaxes a little and in cruise control takes one comfortably along”

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On test Ford Ranger

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Benefit in Kind:

The fixed BIK rate for double-cab 4x4 pick-ups for 2016/17 is £3,170.

That means a 20 per cent taxpayer would hand over £634 to HMRC for the privilege of using their company pick-up as personal transport, while a 40 per cent taxpayer will pay £1,268.

Continued from page 44 radio/CD with 8” TFT touchscreen, Ford SYNC 2 with voice control and USB connection for external music devices.

For extra comfort it has eight-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, power-foldable heated door mirrors with puddle lights and integrated turn indicators, Dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control air conditioning, rear parking distance sensors chrome tubular sports bar, leather seat trim heated front seats, premium door mats, a 12v socket in the load area and rear privacy glass. The only thing I missed was SatNav, which is not available as standard on the Limited.

For those going off-road, there is an electronic high and low-range selection with shift on the fly. ESP with traction control and EBA further enhance the Ranger’s stability and safety, and there’s no doubt that the Ranger is built both to last and to tackle the toughest terrain.

For company drivers the Ranger offers better than expected fuel economy with a combined of 31.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 234g/km. Amazingly, I averaged just over 30mpg in my week in the Ranger and with the auto box encouraging me to put my foot down, this was a real surprise. I also utilised the

VERDICT Ranger is still happy to hang tough when it needs to. Like a builder who loves ballet, it combines a down-anddirty work ethic with a refined, sensitive side CC&V RATING: NNNN 46 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

Ranger’s load space with a trip to the tip sans tree branches.

How does the Ranger compare to the competition? I’ve driven all of the Ranger’s principal competition this year, including the new Navara, L200, Amarok, Fullback and Hilux, and all are equally capable. I’d place the Ranger near the top for refinement alongside the Amarok, with more plus-points for having the most car-like dashboard.

As with Ford’s car range, the commercial range has improved immeasurably over the past couple of years and the Ranger is a case in point. I really did enjoy my week driving the Limited, even though I’d like to try the smaller 2.2 auto version to see how that performs, as it offers better fuel economy on the combined, 35.3 mpg, with improved emissions too of 209g/ km.

“Amazingly, I averaged just over 30mpg in my week in the Ranger and with the auto box encouraging me to put my foot down, this was a real surprise. I also utilised the Ranger’s load space with a trip to the tip sans tree branches...”

Ford maintains lead in CV sales

Ford has maintained its lead in the CV sales chart, with the Transit still the UK’s number one van choice.

Indeed, such is its popularity that the Transit is in fact the second most popular vehicle overall, behind only its car stablemate, the Fiesta.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “Ford continues to carry strong sales momentum as we more to the end of the year, and our CV sales continue to grow.”

UK commercial vehicle sales in October were down 7.4 per cent at 24,968, compared with October 2016. At 7,853, total sales of Ford CVs

were up 3.0 per cent, compared with October 2016. For the year to date, total UK CV sales were down 3.5 per cent at 318,664, compared with the same period in 2016. Total sales of Ford CVs for the year to date were up 2.1 per cent at 97,767, compared with 2016.

Ford commercial vehicle market share continues to increase, standing at 31.2 per cent for October, up from 27.8 per cent in October 2016.

For the year to date, Ford CV share increased from 30.6 per cent to 32.1per cent, compared with the same period in 2016.

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CV news

Vauxhall Corsavan

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NAV special helps Corsavan stand out from the crowd Vauxhall has expanded its popular Corsavan range with the addition of a new top-of-the-range Limited Edition NAV model. Available to order now priced at £15,515 excluding VAT, the new variant offers some of the latest technology and stylish exterior design features.

The new Corsavan Limited Edition NAV model features unique exterior graphics, as well as black wing mirrors, 16-inch Black Alloy Wheels and a Carbon Flash grille bar. The stylish new black accents have been designed to complement the Corsavan’s full range of exterior colours (excluding Royal Blue and Metallic Black).

The new model also marks the introduction of the Persian Blue exterior colour, which is offered exclusively on the Limited Edition NAV. As well as a new look exterior, the new model trim

48 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

will add Navi 4.0 IntelliLink connectivity to an already impressive list of standard technology. The updated system has a seven-inch colour touchscreen for easy navigation, with features including RDS with Traffic Programme, Eco Routing, DAB digital radio, and sat nav with European coverage. The unit’s smartphone integration is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and enables USB connection, Bluetooth connectivity and A2DP audio streaming.

“This stylish new Corsavan will appeal to operators who want a small car-derived van that stands out from the crowd,” said Steve Bryant, Vauxhall’s Head of Commercial Vehicle Brand. “It’s exceptionally well-equipped for its size, with features including Navi 4.0 IntelliLink connectivity with a seven-inch touchscreen.”

KEY DETAILS Vauxhall Corsavan (based on 1.2i Twinport) Price: £15,515 ex VAT CO2: 128g/km Combined fuel economy: 51.4mpg Max speed: 101mph Load length: 1257 mm Load width: 1264 mm Load height: 921 mm Load volume: 920 litres Payload: 560 kg

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CV News Iveco Daily

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Iveco design Daily to beat future city centre environmental rules IVECO has launched the new Daily Blue Power family, a unique line-up of vehicles offering urban transport operators a lend of low emission engines that frees you from the increasing constraints placed on operators looking to access city centre locations around the world. Even better, the new range anticipates future environmental requirements and provides a solution driven by technology that is sustainable by nature.

The Daily Blue Power product offer is unique in the market. It offers real freedom of choice between three different technologies to match the specific requirements of their mission and their business.

Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President, explains: “In the face of the current push for decarbonisation and increasing access restrictions in cities, being sustainable is fast becoming an important competitive advantage for transport businesses.

Sustainability has always been a core value for IVECO, and we saw long ago that our path to sustainable urban transport is through advanced diesel technology and alternative tractions such as electric and natural gas. That is why we have pioneered alternative fuels for more than 20 years and invested in advanced technologies to dramatically reduce emissions from our diesel engines.

“The Daily Blue Power is the culmination of all the work we have done in this field. It offers our customers a unique choice that gives them a competitive advantage to develop their sustainable business in urban areas without limitations.”

Leading the way is the Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power, the first CNG-powered LCV with an eight-speed automatic gearbox in the industry.

It makes a further improvement on what was already the best solution for urban transport by offering the perfect combination: the sustainability of IVECO’s Natural Power natural gas technology and the absolute driving pleasure of its class-exclusive Hi-Matic transmission.

This vehicle delivers the robustness, performance and reliability that the Daily is known for, together with more comfort and fuel economy, extra-low pollutant and CO2 emissions and best-in-class driveability.

The Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power builds on IVECO’s extensive experience of more than 20 years pioneering work in natural gas technology. It features the 3-litre F1C engine that generates 136 hp to deliver best-in-class 50 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

torque of 350 Nm. This engine is more robust and guarantees more torque and driveability than ordinary CNG car-derived engines, delivering a performance without compromise.

The environmental performance of the Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power is equally remarkable: the engine complies with Euro 6/D standards with 76 per cent less particulate matter (PM), 12 per cent lower NOx emissions than IVECO’s Euro VI 3.0-litre diesel engine,

which already generates extremely low levels.

In real driving conditions and in an urban context, CO2 emissions of the CNG engine are three per cent lower than those of the equivalent diesel version. The application of the Hi-Matic transmission to CNG further improves this performance, extending this gap to 5 per cent. If biomethane is used to run the CNG engine, CO2 emissions can be very close to zero, with a 95 per cent reduction.

The Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power also

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delivers excellent fuel economy, with 2.5 per cent fuel savings, on real urban cycle, compared to the CNG manual version. The lower pump price of CNG compared to diesel translates into a very competitive cost per km and, if all factors such as fuel price, engine efficiency and energy value are considered, natural gas can deliver cost savings in excess of up to 35 per cent compared to diesel. This makes it an economically sustainable solution for transport operators, which face constant and harsh competition.

The Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power is also extremely quiet, compared to its diesel equivalent, making it ideal for night time deliveries in urban areas.

The Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power also includes the BUSINESS UP exclusive application that turns on-board connectivity into a true professional work tool, providing the customer with an onboard Driver Assistant and Business Assistant.

With its absolute driving pleasure, fuel economy, environmental performance, quiet operation, low total cost of ownership (TCO) and high connectivity, this unique vehicle offers the perfect combination of low emission fuel and driveability for urban areas that makes it the perfect transport LCV for sustainable businesses.

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Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 51

On test

Isuzu D-Max Utah Jazz

Isuzu adds refinements to keep D-Max at the top of the tree It may have a new badge, new spec and a new look but the latest Isuzu D-Max retains the qualities of old, says Andrew Walker Pick-ups were once just for work – capable load-luggers with off-road capability, able to get to places normal cars could not reach. In recent years, however, the pick-up manufacturers have discovered that their customer base now contains many ’lifestyle’ drivers who want a pick-up for urban use and whose main concern is what their pick-up looks like.

All of the pick-up manufacturers now have a vehicle for this customer, with both Renault and Mercedes-Benz the latest to launch versions. In the meantime Isuzu, who perhaps offers the most varied pick-up range, has two good looking models to choose from. The top of the range is the Blade and underneath this, the Utah, which CC&V spent a working week in recently.

Isuzu has fitted a new 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine to the range, which produces 164 PS and 360 Nm of torque. The engine retains the 3.5 tonne towing capacity and over one tonne payload of the previous version, while providing a quieter, more refined and economical driving experience. Another key benefit is that the new engine meets Euro 6 standards without the need for the addition of AdBlue.

As per previous D-Max models, Shift-On-

The-Fly 4×4 is a key feature of the 17MY truck.

The rotary dial allows the driver to select four-wheel drive on the move and is also equipped with low range gears.

The range-line up from the much-loved D-Max is retained; Utility, Eiger, Yukon, Utah and Blade with a range of single, extended and double cab variants available.

Each model comes with a five-year / 125,000-mile warranty – indeed, the range was the first pick-up in the UK to be offered

garland isuzu

52 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

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with such a comprehensive peace-of-mind package. Running costs are kept down by 12,000-mile or 24-month service intervals, five years’ roadside rescue and recovery including European cover, a three-year paint warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.

The key design changes from the previous model include a new front bumper, bonnet, grille and headlights with LED daytime running lights. The front of the pick-up has a wedge-shape which delivers a more aerodynamic silhouette and the roof has been designed to reduce drag by 0.4 per cent versus

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15MY D-Max by directing airflow over the tailgate, thereby improving fuel economy, performance and the level of cabin noise.

At the rear, the tailgate has been reshaped with a spoiler design moulded into the top section and features a newly designed handle.

A full size spare wheel is now standard on all versions, previously optional on Double Cab models. Three body styles are offered: single, extended and double cab derivatives.

The interior of the new-generation D-Max has also been updated. The instrument panel has been redesigned with an updated central

display and clearer font. Manual transmission models also come equipped with a gear shift indicator to assist drivers with achieving optimal fuel economy. Additional USB ports have been added to the lower centre dash and rear of the centre console across the range (except Utility). Extended and Double Cab variants are equipped with flexible rear seats that have a folding base, fold flat and also split 60/40. Extended Cab versions also have under seat base storage.

All of the cosmetic changes, especially those inside the cab, have most definitely improved the D-Max range and have aligned it more with the lifestyle pick-ups already launched.

However, it is the engine and transmission options which are the key changes on the new generation D-Max. The engine has been downsized to a new 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine which produces 164 PS and 360 Nm of torque. A choice of new 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox options are available, specifically developed for the new D-Max. Our test model, the Utah (from £24,149 CVOTR) certainly looks the part. Standard issue include 18” alloys, silver side steps, LED rear lights rise control, keyless entry and push button start, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, SatNav, DAB digital radio, roof bars, leather upholstery with heated front seats, rear parking sensors and automatic air con.

Continued on page 54

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 53

On test Isuzu D-Max

Continued from page 53 First and foremost, it looks great. I have to say that the D-Max Utah is definitely one of the best looking pick-ups of any I have driven recently. Big, bold wheel arches, wrap-around headlights and black roof rails make it stand out on the road. The black cabin of the D-Max was well laid out and I found all of the controls easy and comfortable to use. The quality inside is good and the new infotainment system with larger touchscreen is definitely an improvement over the last model.

There’s plenty of room in the front for both driver and passenger. Storage is good too, with two water storage pop-outs in the dashboard, decent sized door pockets and a useful glove-box. On top of the dash there’s also a pop-up storage area and above your head, drop-down storage to put your sunglasses in. You can get three adults in the rear, but whoever sits in the centre seat may not want to be there for long as, as with all pick-ups, especially when unladen, it’s bouncy in there.

The 1.9 litre 164 ps turbo diesel engine offers maximum torque of 360 Nm @ 2,000 – 2,500 rpm and is Euro 6 compliant. Top speed is 112 mph.

Fuel economy in the Utah that I tested, which came with the six-speed automatic gearbox, is a claimed 36.2 mpg, which is up three mpg on the outgoing 2.5 unit. CO2 emissions of 205g/km are also lower than the old model’s 220g/km.

Some readers may not be as keen to know what goodies their pick-up comes with, but rather what can it do for me. A pick-up should be used as a pick-up. Isuzu took us around a tough off-road

54 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

obstacle course at Duncombe Park and I was able to utilise the D-Max’s new technology such as Hill Descent Control, including driving along and across a fast flowing river. The D-Max also shone while towing a trailer and with 1,000kg of hay in the back on-road, and I can genuinely confirm that the smaller 1.9-litre engine does the job at least as well as the previous 2.5-litre version and with improved gear ratios, for first and second gear even better !

Friends and neighbours always ask me about pick-ups and whether they would cut it as a family car. Because it looks great, the Blade would definitely attract the family man. While they are ‘so much better than they used to be,’ I tell them, ‘this is not an SUV but a pick-up.’ If you’re used to the soft-road ability of an SUV, then any pick-up will come as bit of a shock, especially to those travelling in the rear.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the D-Max as well as all other pick-ups, is a commercial vehicle and it shines as a CV. In what is becoming an increasingly crowded sector, the Blade has a CVOTR price of £25,149, which puts it up against the likes of the Ford Ranger Limited, Nissan Navara Acenta + and the Hilux Invincible. All are worthy especially off-road and for purpose. The question of which one looks the best is open to interpretation, but the Utah is most definitely competitive.

As an added plus point, you get great service from the Isuzu dealer network, which tends not to be made up of the big car group locations, but smaller commercial experts where the customer is still king.

In which case, let this be your chariot!

KEY DETAILS Turning circle: 12.2 metres on 17” tyres.

Length: 5.295m Width: 1.860m wide Height: 1.795 m high Ground clearance: 235 mm Wheelbase: 3.095 m.

Fuel tank: 69 litres.

Rear load bay: 1, 552 m x 1,530 m x 46.5 cm Maximum payload: 1,101 kg

CC&V VERDICT Better value for money than its competitors. Your pick-up is your livelihood and Isuzu’s reliability is second to none.

This new 1.9-litre version makes an even more compelling case than before.

CC&V RATING: NNNN

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It’s service that sets MAN apart MAN has entered the light commercial market with the TGE, and the company’s Head of Van, Stuart Beeton, tells Andrew Walker that it’s not just the vehicle that will see MAN shake up this sector

CC&V: The TGE is MAN’s first sojourn into the light commercial vehicle sector. What are your aims for your new van, both in the short and in the long term?

Stuart Beeton: The introduction of our TGE range of Light Commercial Vehicles marks a significant milestone in MAN’s history. With over 100 years’ experience in commercial vehicles, this light range from 3.0T to 5.5T allows us now to be able to offer our customers a vast array of vehicles from 3.0T right the way up to 250T for practically any commercial application.

Our aim is to provide our customers with a range of quality light commercial vehicles together with an aftersales experience that exceeds their expectations.

Treating light commercial vehicles in the same way as we treat heavier commercial vehicles from a compliance, safety and legislative perspective will give our customers complete peace of mind in this sector.

Over the coming year we will roll out the full range of TGE derivatives together with a number of innovative aftersales, fleet management and telematics initiatives that will help our customers to optimise their total; cost of ownership and help them to ensure they are operating in an efficient and compliant manner at all times.

CC&V: In what is an extremely competitive market, how will MAN and its dealerships differentiate themselves from the other large van suppliers to ensure the success of the TGE ?

Stuart Beeton: The light commercial vehicle

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market in the UK is incredibly complex and competitive. MAN will differentiate itself by offering exemplary levels of aftersales care. The TGE range will appeal to those customers who look closely at their product requirements as well as the dealer network and aftersales infrastructure when making their purchase decision.

MAN’s Dealer Network has the ability to respond to the customers’ requirements in a timely fashion: we can offer extended opening hours and flexible servicing arrangements to suit customers’ needs; 24/7 365 days a year roadside assistance by a dedicated MAN Technician in a fully equipped service vehicle with the primary objective to repair the vehicle at the roadside and get the customer moving again, and an overall ‘can do’ commercial attitude across our entire organisation that puts the customer first every time.

CC&V: Are there any plans to introduce other MAN light commercial vehicles ?

Stuart Beeton: No, there are no plans to introduce any products with a GVW less than 3.0T

CC&V: SME fleet managers want their vans on the road all the time. What can MAN offer to ensure that there is no downtime for their customers?

Stuart Beeton: Aftersales is our differentiator, treating light commercial vehicles in the same way as we treat heavier commercial vehicles is our mantra. A quality product with a dealer network that is completely focused on delivering outstanding levels of customer service across our entire range of commercial vehicles, in a flexible, innovative manner will set us apart from our competitors.

“Aftersales is our differentiator, treating light commercial vehicles in the same way as we treat heavier commercial vehicles is our mantra...”

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 55

On test

MAN TGE on test

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Welcome to the party, TGE! Only its sibling, the Crafter, can rival this new LCV from MAN, says Andrew Walker In a world of globalisation, the launch of a totally new van from a new manufacturer really is a rarity. MAN changed that when it added the large panel van, the TGE, to its existing range of heavy duty trucks.

In reality, the TGE is an MAN-badged Volkswagen Crafter, with both companies falling under the Volkswagen Group banner.

As the latest Crafter is comfortably the best van we’ve driven this year and to our mind usurps the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as the best large van out there, it seems a safe bet that the MAN version will be just as good – and after a couple of hours testing one, we’re certain it is.

The range is available in front-wheel drive, as well as rear-wheel and all-wheel drive and is offered with manual or automatic transmissions. There are three van lengths; Standard 5986mm long with a 3640mm wheelbase; Long, 6836mm long with a 4490mm wheelbase and Extra -long, with a total length of 7391 mm and with a wheelbase of 4490mm. There are also three roof heights on offer, at 2,355mm, 2,590mm and 2,798mm, and three lengths: 5986mm long with a 3640mm wheelbase; Long, 6818mm long with a 4490mm wheel base and finally, Extra long which measures 7211mm and also comes with a 4490mm wheelbase.

The TGE is also offered with a 3.0 and a 3.5 tonne gross weight, with the entry level 3.0t 6-speed manual in Normal guise retailing 56 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

from £23,990. Top of the range is the 3.5t 8-speed auto Extra Long which costs £36,693.

The TGE is powered by four 2.0 litre units with 75kW, 90kW,103kW or 130kW are on offer, all as 6-speed manuals with the 103kW and 130kW units also offered in auto guise.

Where Volkswagen have a variety of specs, all TGEs are the same. It comes as a base specification and the customer can add on whatever extra they require.

Just like the Crafter, the cab is a nice place to be, coming as it does with a car-like ambience to it. The driving position is excellent. Both the switchgear and steering wheel are borrowed from Volkswagen’s car range and the quality of the plastics and finishes rival its cars as well. The instruments are also very much in line found with the VW passenger car range, with the highlight being the 5” touchscreen in the centre of the dash.

In cabin storage is generous. There are two door pockets in each door, an array of dash-top cubbies with a USB connection plus two 12-volt power supplies. There are a number of cup holders, a decent-sized glovebox and on our test model the addition of overhead storage above all three front seats, adds even more useful space.

In the rear, the TGE I tested, the 3.0 8-speed auto high roof, was finished in a remarkably tight fitting wood-ply, perhaps the best I have experienced in any van, which just adds to the feeling of space on offer, which is 11.3m3. Both rear doors open wide, offering an entry space of 1552mm wide x 1840mm height. The lateral sliding door offers the user an excellent 1311mm width x 1822mm height.

On the road, the TGE with the auto-gearbox is a cinch to drive. Acceleration is smooth and

just like the Crafter, it’s a large van that drives more like a medium sized family car. I couldn’t fault it.

Standard spec includes ABS, EBA (electronic brake assist) and ESC, (electronic stability control) so the ride is measured. The options list is enormous, with options such as park distance control in front and rear with side assist costing an additional £917, side and curtain airbags for driver and passenger £820 and air-con £1,375. So you may want to get your calculator out before you decide how much extra you need in your TGE. The TGE, like the Crafter, is brilliant and I cannot praise it highly enough. An obvious question is why choose a TGE over a Crafter, but Thomas Hemmerich, managing director of MAN Truck and Bus, answered that by pointing out the dealership network’s ability to offer around-the-clock service and 365 days per year mobile 24-hour roadside assistance.

The TGE matches the Crafter as the best large panel van out there. Whether or not you buy your van from a TGE dealer or from a VW Commercial dealer is up to you, but having spent a bit of time at the MAN Truck dealership in Manchester, I came away believing that their sales, after sales and servicing set-up would be very hard to beat.

The choice is yours.

CC&V VERDICT Based as it is on the superb Crafter, the MAN TGE is simply brilliant. The key difference could well be whether your nearest dealer is VW or MAN... but MAN promises to beat VW on after sales service CC&V RATING: NNNNN www.companycarandvan.co.uk

On test

Toyota Proace

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Toyota’s quiet man is turning up volume Andrew Walker The Toyota Proace was launched at the 2016 CV Show in Birmingham, alongside the almost identical Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert. All three models are completely new from the ground up and like its French cousins, the Proace is a massive improvement over the old Proace model and is now more than a match for the Ford Transit Custom.

Toyota has kept things simple. Proace is available in three body sizes, simply called Small, Medium and Long, with two wheelbase lengths. It can also be specified as a van or crew cab, with panel or glazed/ semi-glazed size walls. Most versions will carry 1400kg and tow up to 2.5 tonnes, while crew and combi-models will seat up to nine.

Two trim levels are available, Base and Comfort.

The Base comes with standard equipment including twin airbags, cruise control, a speed limiter and central locking. Comfort adds Bluetooth, USB connectivity, air con and the Smart Cargo system. If you want more stuff, then there’s a great list of options available, including rear parking sensors, rear camera, a head-up display, colour-coded bumpers, automatic lights and rain-sensitive wipers.

There are two Toyota Safety Sense active safety packages available too, one including lane departure alert, road sign assist, driver attention alert and an automatic high beam system. Option 2 comes with

58 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

Inside, the Proace cabin is neatly designed. It’s easy to reach all of the switches and buttons while driving, an important consideration for most van users, as is the view from the front, which is also excellent. I spent a week in the driver’s seat and found it supportive as well as comfortable, and the Proace’s suspension allows for a smooth ride as well.

The insulated bulkhead on my test van helped to keep the cabin quiet, even without a load in the rear and, of course, a full bulkhead means that the cabin warms up much quicker in the mornings.

I used the Proace for a 250-mile round trip to the North East and back, a journey made almost entirely on motorways. Despite the wet roads and noise associated with that at motorway speed, I was able to make and receive a couple of hands-free calls and not have to shout to be heard. With my model coming with adaptive cruise control, the Proace made a competent, quiet motorway cruiser. On occasion I did have to drop down into fourth gear to keep up with moving traffic on some steeper motorway sections. Indeed, if there is a criticism of the van I drove it is that it only has five-forward gears. A sixth gear would make the motorway more pleasurable.

KEY DETAILS Toyota Proace Comfort Medium 1.6D 95 DIN hp Price: £19,676 CO2: 137g/km Combined mpg: 51.4mpg

Payload: 1000kg Load length: 4959mm Load width: 1920mm Load height: 1895

Continued on page 60

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On test

Toyota Proace/VW Crafter

Continued from page 58

CC&V VERDICT The Proace is an excellent mid-size van, and one Company Car & Van can highly recommend.

CC&V RATING: NNNN

60 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

This doesn’t matter as much when you’re not on the motorway, because the Proace is easy to drive in town, with it’s compact dimensions and perky 1.6 litre engine making it actually fun to use on busy urban streets.

At just 1900mm high I also managed to park it every day in my local gym’s multi-storey car park, another plus.

As with many vans nowadays, the interior has a car-like fascia design with a good quality feel, finished in nicely textured plastics, a mile away from vans of old. There’s 49 litres of storage space around the cabin, including ubiquitous large door bins, underfloor storage, two glove boxes on the passenger side and an A4-sized compartment on top of the dash.

There are three front seats, but whoever draws the short straw and ends up in the centre will struggle for leg room, as the gear stick juts out just where your right knee should go.

As I felt that the most popular model would be the Medium model in Comfort spec, powered by the 95bhp engine, that was the model that Toyota loaned me. With emissions of 144g/km and a claimed combined fuel economy of 51.4 mpg, this model ticks the money box as well. As a

guide, I drove my Proace 300 miles in all environment’s averaging 39.2 mpg.

The Medium model I tested has a 3,670m load length, while the Long version measures 4,020m. Don’t ignore the Small version though, because it handles two pallets and at just 3.320m long and with a turning circle of just 11m, it’s purpose built for urban delivery.

On all three, the cargo width between the wheel arches is 1,260m with the respective models coming with load volumes of 5.1, 5.8 and 6.6 cubic metres.

The Small and Medium models stand at 1.9m tall while the Long is 1.94m high. I didn’t utilise the rear load are, but is easily accessed by two large rear doors and two sliding doors, one on each side of the van.

With a commercial OTR price of £19,676 it’s attractively priced. However, when I cast my eye over the extras list, it was clear to me that in order to spec your Proace up with features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, SatNav and the Pro Touch 7” touchscreen, you will have to pay more, so the choice at least is there if you want it.

Indeed, across the range, Proace is slightly more expensive than the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, although you do get a five year/ 10,000 mile warranty and two years/25,000 miles free servicing with the Toyota.

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VW needs to lift the lid off its ‘secret’ Crafter success story Andrew Walker In the battle of the big motorway CV cruisers, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has led the way for some time, beating its Teutonic rival from VW, the Crafter, comfortably over the years.

That’s why the latest iteration of the Crafter is a big deal for VW, which needs to claw back lost territory.

Choice-wise it’s off to a good start. The new Crafter is offered in front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel-drive with a range of three versions of the same 2.0-litre TDI engine, offering power outputs of 100bhp, 138bhp and 175bhp. The 100bhp unit delivers torque of 300Nm between 1,400 and 2,250rpm, the 138bhp option has 340Nm from 1,600rpm to 2,250rpm, with the range-topping BiTurbo unit offering 410Nm between 1,500 and 2,000rpm. It’s also available as single or double cab with varying lengths, with or without conversions solutions, including dropsides and tippers (ex-factory). It also has a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 5.5 tonnes.

The likely most popular model in the range will be the mid-range Trendline MWB, driven by the 140PS engine and coupled to the 6-speed manual gear box and this was the model delivered to CCandV to review.

First things first. The new Crafter looks fantastic and is much more in keeping with the Volkswagen passenger car look, which is not a bad thing! There’s a new front design,

with large wrap-around headlights and a Volkswagen-branded slimline chrometrimmed grille. Inside is the nicest van interior I have this far experienced, coming as it does with a car-like ambience to it. The driving position is excellent. Both the switchgear and steering wheel are borrowed from Volkswagen’s car range and the quality of the plastics and finishes rival its cars as well. The instruments are also very much along the line found in the VW passenger car range, with the highlight being the 8” touchscreen that site in the centre of the dash.

Equipment levels are excellent. Standard safety kit on all models includes four airbags, ESP stability control, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and side-wind assist, while Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist and Front-Assist emergency braking are options, with all fitted to our Trendline test model.

All of the Volkswagen Crafter’s engines are 2.0-litre units from VW’s EA 288 family of commercial vehicle units, with low down pulling power as well as fuel efficiency. All are Euro6 compliant, and feature common-rail injection engines fitted with an advanced SCR catalytic convertor system to clean the exhaust gases. A stop-start system is also fitted as standard, with VW claiming a 15% improvement in fuel economy over the previous Crafter, whilst Volkswagen claims class-leading aerodynamics of 0.33 Cd. Our 6-speed manual model with the 138bhp engine returns a claimed 38.2mpg on

the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 193g/km. Neither are, to be fair, earth shattering. Volkswagen has also reduced running costs through extended service intervals compared to the old Crafter. There’s one less oil-change needed in the first 200,000km than before along with other measures to make the services that are required more affordable.

Although the MWB Crafter is a large van, it never feels big on the road. It drives and handles like a saloon car and is by far the best van in this respect, I have ever driven. This is partly due to the fitting of the electromechanical steering system in the Crafter, a first for the large panel van class which basically adjusts the steerings weight, according to the van’s speed. The easy to reach six-speed gear stick is neat and slick to work and the overall feeling driving the new Crafter is incredibly relaxing, far more so than other vans of this size.

Load capacity is excellent. There are three vehicle lengths, starting with our 5,986mm ‘mid-length’ model, then the long wheelbase version at 6,836mm, plus there’s the ‘longwheelbase plus overhang’ version, with an extended rear overhang, taking total length to 7,391mm. On top of that are a trio of roof heights, with the maximum cargo capacity on offer now being 18.4m3. Front-wheel drive variants have GVWs of between 3 and 4 tonnes, while RWD versions offer between 3.5 and 5.5 tonnes.

CC&V VERDICT Watch out, Sprinter. Given the choice of a long day behind the wheel of a Sprinter, Transit, Ducato/ Boxer et al, the Crafter would get my vote. Best equipped and finished large van out there.

CC&V RATING: NNNNN

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Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 61

On test

Fiat Fullback Cross 4x4

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Ready to make a splash? Try the Fullback Andrew Walker tries out the latest addition to the Fiat Professional Fullback range, the 4x4 Cross A new 4×4 ‘Cross’ version of the Fiat Professional Fullback has recently been launched, which adds a new top-of-the-range version to Fiat’s Mitsubishiinspired model.

Priced from £26,495 (excl. VAT) for the 2.4 180 HP 6Spd Manual Cross, the new model is aimed fairly and squarely at attracting leisure customers to Fiat’s pick-up range. It features exclusive style details, such as an aerodynamic textured black sport bar, front grille with black ingots, a satin silver skid plate,silver rear view mirrors, silver handles and 17” wheels with matte black finish, while the side steps are finished in black. The Cross features a load bed that’s 1,510mm long by 1,470mm wide and this too has been ‘pimped,’ as strikingly it’s finished in matt black.

It’s powered by the 181hp 2.4-litre turbodiesel from the regular Fullback LX. This produces 430Nm torque and as we discovered when we drove the Fullback, is a surprisingly smooth and refined engine in use, and it’s the power unit that helped the Fullback’s ‘sister’ model, the Mitsubishi L200, win our Commercial Award back in 2015.

This unit also meets the stringent Euro 6 standards, without the need for an SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system and AdBlue tank – the emissions reducing exhaust treatment technology engineered for diesels.

Fullback Cross buyers will have the option of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, complete with the usual electronically switchable four-wheel drive. The traction system stands out in comparison to its competitors: with no fewer than four driving modes, it enables its drivers to get to any destination, and makes it the most comprehensive in the lifestyle category. It switches from 2WD to AWD at the touch of a button, ideal for fuel-saving at the same time as tough terrain driving.

Its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 40.9.MPG (6.6L/100km) and its CO2 emission figure is 186g/km.

Continued on page 66

KEY DETAILS Length 5,285mm Width 1,815mm Height 1,780mm; Kerb weight 1,875kg Towing (unbraked) 3,100kg Payload 1,045kg Off-road angles: approach 30°, departure 22° Ground clearance 205mm

Perfect combination delivers the very best motorhomes Brighouse-based Fiat and Iveco Commercial dealership, Northern Commercials and Knottingley-based IH Motorhomes, are happy to continue their long-running partnership, which has helped serve the motorhome industry for the best part of six years.

IH Motorhomes has become a loyal customer of Northern Commercials and the Fiat brand after purchasing over 50 Ducato vans for conversion into motorhomes during 2017. The Fiat Ducato Panel Van – winner of the Fleet Van Of The Year Award at this year’s Motor Transport Awards – uses a new fuel efficient Euro 6 engine which requires no Adblue additive and makes for lower running costs in an industry which typically racks up high mileage, making it the perfect base vehicle for motorhome conversions.

The Fiat Ducatos are converted from panel vans into spacious motorhomes for living and often include a range of extras; manual air conditioning, parking sensors, swivelling drivers and passenger seats, 5” touch screen CD/Bluetooth/USB and LED day running 64 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

lights. The Ducato is available in four different lengths and three different heights, making it a versatile option for the company to convert into motorhomes.

Founded over 20 years ago, IH Motorhomes is a successful business offering unique, high quality and award-winning motorhomes.

Using hand crafted innovations and industry leading manufacturing, IH transforms the base vehicle into a luxurious motorhome for the UK market.

Ian Hartley, founder and managing director of IH Motorhomes, commented on the

partnership with Northern Commercials: “Nor-Com have been a pleasure to deal with and always go the extra mile, which is why our long-term relationship has gone from strength to strength”.

Ian Henson, Van Specialist at Northern Commercials, added: “It’s great to see the versatility that the Fiat range can offer. IH Motorhomes is a valued customer and we have a great working relationship. Northern Commercials is looking forward to a successful 2018 with IH Motorhomes”.

For over 40 years, Northern Commercials have been raising the standards of excellence for service to transport operators throughout the UK. With six dealerships and five authorised repairers, it is able to offer award-winning Fiat and Iveco commercials and services throughout the UK, including the full range of Fiat and Daily Products from 2.0 tonnes GVW to 7.2 tonnes GVW, in both Van and Chassis Cabs. Trucks are available from 7.5 tonnes GVW through to the Iveco Tractor Units at 44 tonnes GTW. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

On test

Fiat Fullback

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Continued from page 64 While the Fullback Cross looks like ‘Mean Joe Greene,’ from the outside, from the inside it’s highly polished and standard equipment for your investment is impressive: bi-xenon headlights , dual-zone climate control, 7” touchscreen infotainment system with DAB, Bluetooth and USB connection, SatNav, reversing camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats, with six-way electric adjustment for the driver, seven airbags, lane departure warning and trailer stability assist.

The Cross is unique among Fullbacks for being made available to buy via Fiat’s car showrooms as well as the Fiat Professional van network. Although Fiat describes the Fullback as a ‘leisure vehicle’ – and I’m sure in North America, Asia and Africa it will be used both for work and for play – in Europe, including the UK, the Fullback is very much a working pick-up, and as far as leisure time is concerned it will not necessarily be a replacement for your SUV soft roader.

Riding in the front of a pick-up is normally okay and that is the case with the Fullback. The two front seats offer a fairly comfortable ride, but if your Fullback is unladen the rear ride is bumpy. There is plenty of headroom in the rear in the way of compensation, though, with even the leg room acceptable unless you’re sitting in the middle seat.

The rear seats are also placed high in comparison with the two front seat passengers, allowing those in the back to look down on the driver and front seat passenger and affording a great view of the road ahead.

Whether in town or on the motorway there is very little in the way of diesel clatter inside the Fullback’s cabin and once up and running, the engine soon settles into a smooth idle. Put your foot down and the thrust of 317lb ft of torque increases the decibels pretty quickly and you really get a feel for the power on tap that the Fullback offers. The real bonus of this is that on road you’ve got plenty of overtaking power. Add in a nicely balanced clutch and the gear-change feels smooth too, certainly compared to what pick-ups used to offer, and the Fullback scores highly as a driver’s car.

If, like me, you are shallow and covet a car or van based mainly on looks, then the Fullback Cross scores highly. The L200 Barbarian is a stunner, but Fiat has managed to make the Fullback Cross the best looking pick-up in the pick-up sector, bar none.

From a purely practical point of view, the Fullback may not quite match the capabilities of the larger Nissan, Ford or VW pick-ups, but it is undoubtedly better-looking than all of these and it’s slightly more diminutive size enables one to drive and park it in town much more easily than it’s larger competitors.

Another plus point is that from a full economy perspective, we averaged a respectable 32.9mpg in our time in the Cross, a better figure than we achieved in the larger VW and Ford as well.

In conclusion, the Fullback may be a little bit fly, but even if it is, it’s a damn fine pick-up that looks great! We would happily drive one every day. If you need a pick-up for work, then the Fullback is definitely in the mix, because it offers an awful lot of what both lifestyle and working customers want, at a 66 | December 2017 | Company Car & Van

price that will make both happy.

With the Fullback being sold in the UK by Fiat Professional dealerships as well as at Fiat car showrooms, it’s probably worth noting that, customers who buy or lease one from a Fiat Professional dealership will get the benefits of a fully commercial network, meaning out-of hours servicing and a willingness to listen to your commercial needs, something that perhaps a car based dealer wouldn’t do.

And, if you already run Fiat Professional vehicles, you now have a ready-made pick-up to complete your fleet.

CC&V VERDICT Who said pick-ups couldn’t look sassy? This is a beaut... a Hollywood botox job that has looks to covet CC&V RATING: NNNN

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On test

Vauxhall Vivaro

Vivaro takes the pressure off Andrew Walker enjoys a spell behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Vivaro L2H1 2900 Panel Van Sportive 1.6 CDTI (140PS) BiTurbo The Vivaro is an example of modern crosscompany partnerships: pooling talents of Vauxhall and Renault so they can compete with the likes of the PSA/FIAT alliance on their range of commercial vehicles.

The Vivaro model range is refreshingly simple. With two wheelbases and two roof heights, plus a double cab crew van and a platform cab allowing customers to make a choice of modifications, the Vivaro is a really straightforward proposition.

In the flesh, as vans go, it’s actually a good looker with a bold front grille and large headlights giving the front an aggressive look while the sensibly located rear light clusters high up on the left and right hand sides of the van, will help prevent you from costly damage if you happen to bump your Vivaro into something.

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A van customer wants the volume in the back of their van and here the Vivaro scores highly as well. For starters, because the width and height dimensions remain unaltered from the previous Vivaro, there is more than a chance that customers’ existing racking can be transferred fairly easily into the new model, which could save customers a lot of money.

Vauxhall has increased the load length in the new Vivaro though, which is 1200 mm up on the previous model.

My longer L2 test model was fitted with a ‘load through’ bulkhead, which is basically a flap at the base of the bulkhead which can be lifted and a flip-up front passenger seat which can be moved, meaning that longer items can be pushed through the space that’s been created, increasing the length of cargo that will fit from 2,937mm to 3,750mm with the passenger seat folded. If you specify the high-roof model, this will increase the 1,387mm load height to 1,898mm giving even more capacity.

Getting into the load area is easy and is accomplished via twin rear doors and an additional sliding door at the side. There’s also

a full steel bulkhead separating the cargo area from the cab, which keeps both the load at bay and the cab reasonably quiet. Also, within the rear load space are located 20 lashing eyes spread across the walls and floor, so there’s really no excuse not to secure that load.

Climb aboard and the user-friendly cabin now feels more upmarket and car-like. Driver and front seat passengers get more leg room, as the cab is 116 mm longer than before. The ubiquitous central third seat though like all third seats is a bit of a squeeze but, on some models, it can be folded down to create a desk with a built in clipboard and there’s even space for a laptop.

There is plenty of storage – cubby holes, several deep storage bins and a very large glove box as well as additional dash-top areas for keeping pens, oddments and receipts out of harms way.

The controls are clear and very straightforward. A digital speedo in the centre makes keeping within speed limits easier, with the rev counter on the left and the fuel gauge on the right.

Having driven the non-BiTurbo Vivaro

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More road reports at www.companycarandvan.co.uk Vauxhall Vivaro: Top performer at a solid price

previously, the BiTurbo with140PS really makes a difference, especially on the motorway in keeping up with fast moving traffic when overtaking safely and quickly.

With a maximum 340Nm’s of torque 1t 1500rpm I really enjoyed driving it. Around town the Vivaro handled really well and on winding roads, there’s little or no body roll in the cab. The steering although light was also

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just the right side of responsive. The six-speed gear box is nice and smooth. My test model came with the ECO button which when used aids fuel economy. The claimed combined for this Vivaro is 46.3 mpg with emissions of 160g/km. Using the ECO button I averaged 40.2 mpg and without it the economy fell to 37.3 mpg, so using the ECO function does make sense.

CC&V VERDICT CC&V has driven pretty much all of the Vivaro’s direct competition and this is a great performer to rival any. With entry level Vivaro’s retailing from £19,140, the range is good value for money too, with great load space, easy access and a comfortable wellequipped cabin: among the best in class.

CC&V RATING: NNNN

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 69

CV review

Mercedes-Benz/Fuso Canter

Mercedes joins race for a pick-up Mercedes-Benz has added pick-up versatility to its range with the launch of the all-new X-Class. Available from just ÂŁ27,310 excl. VAT, first deliveries for vehicles ordered now are expected to be in January 2018.

All UK vehicles are doublecab, with 4MATIC selectable all-wheel drive and low-range, drive selection mode, with double wishbone front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension, all as standard.

Customers can choose from three distinct model lines to suit different lifestyles and work environments: the PURE basic variant for classic robust use, PROGRESSIVE for higher requirements in terms of quality feel and comfort, and POWER as the high-end variant for urban lifestyles.

The X-Class is initially offered with a choice of two engines: the X 220 d 4MATIC 4-cylinder 2.3l diesel with common-rail and turbocharger, offering 163hp (120kW), or the X 250 d 4MATIC 4-cylinder 2.3l diesel with common-rail and twin-stage turbocharger, offering 190hp (140kW).

The X 220 d 4MATIC comes with a six-speed

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manual transmission in a choice of PURE or PROGRESSIVE model lines.

The X 250 d 4MATIC is available in all three models.

Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the X-Class stands out for its exemplary passive and active safety equipment. As standard, the X-Class offers driver and passenger airbags and thorax bags, window bags on the A-D pillar and driver knee bag, as well as hi-tech driver assistance systems such as Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assis.

The entry-level PURE model is only available with the six-speed manual transmission 220 d 4MATIC engine, and offers a rear bumper with integrated step, halogen headlights and a

radiator grille with matt black finish.

Inside, the PURE model offers a manually adjustable driver and passenger seat in Tunja black fabric upholstery, with a large storage compartment in the centre console, incorporating an armrest and cupholder. The model also offers semi-automatic airconditioning with high gloss black details in the air vents.

Whichever model you choose the Audio 20 CD infotainment system is offered as standard across all model lines, with seven-inch high definition screen, rotary controller with touchpad, BluetoothÂŽ audio and media interface, with DAB digital radio and preinstallation for Garmin MAP PILOT included.

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Tree Craft branches out with Canters from Sparshatts The FUSO Canter’s ability to ‘turn on a sixpence’ makes it ideally suited to trailer-towing duties, particularly in built-up areas.

That’s the view of tree surgeon Russell Coombs, whose company has just commissioned its second new 3.5-tonne Canter this year.

Mr Coombs is the co-owner, with Richard Arnold, of arboriculture specialist Tree Craft, which is based in Knockholt, Kent. It now operates four trucks, all supplied by Mercedes-Benz Dealer Sparshatts Truck & Van, of Sittingbourne, and smartly finished in its grey livery.

Three are FUSO Canters – the Mercedes-Benz Truck dealer network in Britain is also responsible for sales and support of the popular Japanese light truck range. The fourth is a 7.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Atego with Fassi crane-grab, which entered service in 2014.

The Canter’s cab-over-engine is key to its manoeuvrability and agility. The vehicle’s ladder frame chassis means it also offers the rugged strength and durability of a ‘proper’ truck, a particular attribute in the 3.5-tonne segment, which is dominated by lighter, van-based vehicles. The Canter can therefore take arduous applications such as tree surgery, which often entail working on rough ground, in its stride.

Acquired with competitive funding support from MercedesBenz Financial Services, Treecraft’s new Canters were supplied by Sparshatts’ Canter sales executive Ashley Shilling.

Both have Comfort day cabs and are fitted with high-sided, tipping bodies by SB Components, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

The first is a 3C15 model. It has an advanced and economical 3.0-litre engine, and transmits its 110 kW (150 hp) output via a smooth-shifting DUONIC automated dual-clutch transmission. The latest, a 3C13, is powered by a 96 kW (130 hp) version of the same four-cylinder unit, which is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox – Tree Craft was keen to compare the two transmission options back-to-back. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

Both vehicles feature the fuel-saving Idle Start/Stop function and an engine brake as standard, while variable nozzle

turbine technology ensures the delivery of high torque – 370 Nm for the 3C15, 300 Nm for the 3C13 – from low revs.

Russell Coombs said: “The 3.5-tonne Canter carries a full load particularly well compared to other types of vehicle we’ve used in the past. For us, though, the Canter’s biggest advantage over the competition is its brilliant turning circle.

“We’re always towing chippers

and plant trailers and in towns and cities manoeuvrability is crucial.

We used to have real difficulties negotiating mini roundabouts, but not any longer. For trailer work, the Canter wins hands down!”

“The Canter has also proved impressively reliable. Business growth means we’re now able to replace our trucks after five years, so we sold our first Canter to make way for the new ones – it was on a 12 plate and never let us down.”

Sparshatts of Kent Ltd, Unit 10, Eurolink Industrial Estate, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3RN Tel: 01795 479571; Fax: 01795 436364; Email: info@sparshatts.co.uk; W: www.sparshatts.co.uk Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 71

On test LDV E80

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Zero emission EV80 gives LDV flying start in electric race A trip to Ireland courtesy of LDV importer the Harris Group gives Andrew Walker a chance to test the van that’s left the likes of Ford, Mercedes and VW in the starting blocks the all-electric LDV EV80

Fly to Dublin, they said. Meet up with the Harris Group, they said. Drive some LDV vans, they said. Try the EV version, they said. An EV LDV? Surely a Chinese manufacturer could not have produced a large EV van and brought it to market before the might of Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Ford et al?

Well, yes, they can. Currently, of the major van players in Europe, only IVECO has tackled the potential of electric vans, so the fact that the UK and Ireland importer of LDVs, the Harris Group, is lucky enough to have the Chinese car company SAIC as its parent company is the reason why this van has been swiftly elevated to the position of market leader.

On the outside the EV80 looks no different to the standard V80 panel van. Available in LWB medium roof size only, it offers a load length of 3.3m and a width of 1.7m, with a total load area of 10.3 cubic metres.

What is affected though is the van’s load capacity, which because of the battery weight is only 950kg.

Range is a claimed 120 miles and LDV says that it can be recharged in just an hour. Cost may be prohibitive as well, with the retail asking price set to be over £50,000, when the standard diesel V80 costs under £14,000.

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The good news though, is that if you buy one, the UK Government will give you £8,000 towards the costs and, of course, there are no petrol/diesel fuel costs either.

Climb aboard and you are met with the same dashboard as the regular V80, with the addition of a digital range display and a battery charge indicator.

Big, user-friendly buttons are a bonus. The audio system features FM and AM, while USB and headphone sockets are included. The main wing mirrors are electrically adjustable via a small switch on the driver’s door by the A-pillar and they’re heated, too. The seat adjusters for the driver’s seat worked well, but did feel lightweight. The windscreen gives a clear view ahead and with the large side mirrors, with manually adjustable secondary mirrors below them, the driver has an excellent all-round view.

Passenger space means that there’s enough room to sit three abreast in comfort in the cab. The two passengers sit on a fixed bench, with some space underneath the seats for storage. The high-roof model features overhead storage trays. For tea and coffee, you get a twin cup-holder, ashtray – very 1980’s – a 12v socket, glovebox, deep door bins plus, www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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‘The gearbox, a digital intelligent CVT, means the EV80 is an automatic, so it’s miles more relaxing than a normal manual gearbox...’ in keeping with the competition, a couple of dashtop trays either side of the instruments for your loose ends.

Where the standard diesel V80 has high emissions of 248g/km and when I drove it, I averaged around 29mpg, the electric version offers a zero cost solution. In contrast to other large electric vans, the EV80 comes with a single choice of battery pack size, a decent 56kWh, with the 320Nm of output only 10Nm less than the diesel.

From a standing start, the EV80 offers the torque delivery of an electric motor and the silence is a little disconcerting. LDV quotes a 0-62mph time of 24 seconds, but to be fair it doesn’t feel that slow as the torque always makes this van feel nippy.

The gearbox, a ‘digital intelligent CVT, means the EV80 is an automatic, so it’s miles more relaxing than a normal manual gearbox. There’s also a noticeable reduction of noise inside the cab and there’s no diesel vibration though the seats either.

Continued on page 74

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Green energy firm turns to WG Davies for LDV V80s LDV dealership WG Davies has been working with one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly companies to ensure prompt delivery of its groundbreaking products. Biosol Renewables UK – based in South Wales – designs, supplies, installs and maintains Biomass boilers which burn woodchip, wood pellet and horse manure to the public and commercial alike.

The company also runs a woodchip processing plant where it can produce and supply woodchip to the biomass market, as well as being experienced and professional installers of both residential and commercial Solar PV systems.

To ensure this green energy company runs smoothly Biosol Renewables employs a skilled workforce of tradespeople, including engineers, carpenters, electricians and plumbers. Given the pressures on service delivery this team faces, it is essential they have suitable and reliable transport to commute across the UK. When deciding which vehicles to buy, the company considered many options, carefully balancing function, comfort, running costs and later resale values before plumping for two LDV V80 Cargo Vans from WG Davies.

The decision has been vindicated with happy employees who are totally satisfied with the vans, with plans to buy similar vans from the dealership in the future.

Company Car & Van | December 2017 | 73

On test LDV EV80

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LDV races into lead in CV electric race Continued from page 73 We drove the EV80 unladen so it is well to remember that although we believe that a range of 80-100 miles is feasible before you need to recharge, the EV80’s driving range will go up or down based on the size of payload in the back and the number of passengers in the front.

The test drive saw me drive the EV80 on several hilly country roads south of Dublin and with the added bonus of the CVT box and no gear stick, it was an enjoyable experience.

However, minor catastrophe struck when we drove onto a wet, damp field, where I forgot that the battery pack hangs low, reducing ground clearance to 165mm. That detail, plus the fact that the battery makes the EV80 much heavier than the diesel variant, meant we promptly got stuck.

You can’t ‘use’ the gears and clutch found in a conventional van, to lay down the power softly to allow you to get going again – it’s just instant power from the auto box and electric engine – so my so my cock-up was in reality an example to all to remember that a heavier van with lower clearance needs to be considered if you are regularly entering rough roads on building sites, or any off-road location for that matter.

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The LDV V80 in standard engine guise In conclusion, the EV80 is potentially a solution to those who use their large panel van in urban areas over short-medium distances. It’s expensive, but when the bigger van companies launch their own electric versions, they will undoubtedly cost even more. The short term expense of the EV80, has to be weighed against the savings you would make over a five-year ownership, however – and you must also factor in the ever-tightening grip of city/urban authorities as they seek cleaner air and an end to diesel pollutants from LCVs by ratcheting up penalties for ‘dirty’ hauliers.

The choice, as they say, is yours.

CC&V VERDICT The tide is running in electric’s favour – and it shows no sign of turning. CV operators have to bite the bullet and consider the E-options – and as things stand, LDV has stolen a march on its rivals with the EV80. Yes, it is pricey but factor in the Government discount and an end to fuel bills before you are put off by that £50k price tag CC&V RATING: NNN

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